Zverev knocks Rune out of Turin contention

Alexander Zverev struggled into his second final at the Paris Masters on Saturday, completing a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory which eliminated opponent Holger Rune from contention for year-end finals place.

The German who moved to second in the world as result of the victory, will face either Frenchman Ugo Humbert or 2018 winner Karen Khachanov for the title.

Zverev had his problems in closing out victory in an hour and three-quarters.

One break was enough to lift the opening set against the young Dane who won the 2022 title here and lost the final a year ago to Novak Djokovic.

Rune suffered his earliest Paris Bercy loss as the event moves to a suburban venue out of the city next year.

 Zverev had to battle as he was broken for 5-all while serving for victory and standing two points away.

The finally moved through in the tiebreaker on a backhand volley winner at the net which took the racquet out of Rune’s hands.

Rune now has no chance for a place in the season top eight at the ATP Finals starting in eight days in Turin.

Zverev, winner of Rome last May, will bid for the seventh Masters 1000 trophy of his career; the German scored his 65th victory of the season, putting him alongside Jannik Sinner at the top of that table.

“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself but he (Rune) is a champion. It is probably his favourite tournament and favourite court.

“But I’m happy to be in my second final here,” Zverev, a 2020 Bercy finalist, said. “I am looking forward to it.”