Paris Masters: Red-hot Alexander Zverev knocks out Stefanos Tsitsipas

German third seed Alexander Zverev knocked Stefanos Tsitsipas out of the Paris Masters with a 7-5 6-4 win in the quarterfinals, ending the Greek’s hopes of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.

While the opening set was a tight affair, the second was one-way traffic as world No. 3 Zverev built a 5-3 lead before wrapping up the victory in one hour and 40 minutes.

Zverev served well against the 10th seed, especially in the second set, firing down nine aces and winning 71% of his first serves in the contest.

“I thought the whole match was a very good level from him,” Zverev said. “I got into the match and I found my rhythm and felt more and more comfortable and am happy with the win.”

The 27-year-old, who improved his head-to-head record with Tsitsipas to 6-10, joins Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal as the only active players to reach 20 or more Masters semifinals.

However, the defeat means former world No. 3 Tsitsipas’ run of five straight ATP Finals appearances is over.

Alcaraz out

Frenchman Ugo Humbert harnessed the energy of the home crowd and produced one of his best career performances in beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 3-6 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals on Thursday

A flurry of forehand and backhand winners had Alcaraz 0-5 down in a first set so one-sided that the Spaniard ironically waved his racquet and grinned to the crowd after holding in the sixth game. “There were some incredible points, I think I have just experienced one of my greatest moments on a court,” Humbert said. “I don’t want it to end here.”

The second-seeded Alcaraz controlled the second set but, after missing chances during the third set, served to stay in the match. The crowd jeered a replayed point but Alcaraz was unperturbed and held comfortably for 5-5.

Sensing a big upset, Humbert got the Bercy Arena crowd going in the next game.