World no. 86 Francisco Comesana will compete in his first ATP semi-final at the ATP 500 tournament in Rio. The Argentine scored his career-best victory in the quarter-final, stunning world no. 2 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 31 minutes.
The German recovered after dropping the second set and built a healthy 4-1 advantage in the decider. However, Alexander lost the ground and allowed Francisco to rattle off five games and move into the last four. The Argentine claimed eight points more than his rival.
Comesana played better behind the first serve and prevailed in the pivotal moments. The lower-ranked player got broken three times and performed four breaks, including back-to-back ones in the decider.
Simply BRILLIANT 🤩@fran_comesana wins the last 5 games of the 3rd set (trailing 1-4) to oust Zverev in stunning fashion to reach his first ATP semi-final!@RioOpenOficial pic.twitter.com/E5zVN527y4
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 22, 2025
Both players hit more unforced errors than winners. Zverev embraced a 25-33 ratio and left his opponent on 27 direct points and 35 mistakes. Zverev hit four service winners more than his opponent, while nothing separated them from the baseline.
Francisco completely outplayed world no. 2 at the net! The Argentine claimed 17 of 20 points after rushing forward and left the German on a terrible 8-21 ratio. The top seed drew the rival’s mistake in the first game of the match and secured an early break.
Alexander Zverev, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot
Zverev held at love in game two to cement the advantage. Comesana stepped in on the return at 1-2 and pulled the break back with a forced error. Alexander saved another break point in game six and leveled the score at 3-3.
The Argentine squandered game points in game seven and fell on the second break point after a wild forehand to fall behind. Zverev closed the eighth game with an ace and moved 5-3 in front. The German served for the opener at 5-4 and landed a service winner, wrapping up the opener in 53 minutes.
Francisco Comesana & Alexander Zverev, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot
They served well in the first five games of the second set. Alexander missed a half-volley at the net at 2-3 and offered his rival break chances. He sent a routine volley long, dropping serve and falling 4-2 behind.
Francisco held at 30 in game seven to confirm the break and move 5-2 up. The Argentine served for the set at 5-3 and faced two break points. He denied them and seized the fourth set point after the German’s wayward backhand, forcing a decider after an hour and 40 minutes.
Francisco Comesana, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 2 recovered his game early in the third set, serving well and providing a break. Alexander clinched a break at 15 in the second game and held at 15 in the next one for 3-0. Zverev fired a powerful serve in the fifth game and opened a 4-1 advantage.
Alexander hit a double fault in the seventh game and faced break points. Comesana landed a forehand down the line return winner on the first, pulling the break back and returning to the positive side. The Argentine welcomed the rival’s terrible forehand in game eight and locked the result at 4-4.
Francisco Comesana, Rio 2025© Stream screenshot
The Roland Garros finalist lost the ground and faced break points in game nine. He denied them before losing a thrilling point at the net and facing the third break point. Alexander hit a double fault, losing serve and sending his opponent closer to the finish line.
Francisco served for the win at 5-4 and landed two service winners and a forced error for three match points. He converted the first with a smash winner, moving over the top and celebrating his career-best victory.
Tennis World USA