Alexander Zverev overcame a mid-match earthquake and Dominic Koepfer to seal his place in the Acapulco final.
Zverev managed to overcome his compatriot 6-4 7-6(5) to reach the final in Mexico although that score only tells half of the story.
The world number 7 started the match fast to take a 4-1 lead but once Koepfer settled into the match it was a hard-fought contest.
Winning the next three games, the world number 71 was now at 4-4 in the first set having broken Zverev’s serve two times in a row.
However the US Open finalist would take the next two games to seal the opening set in 50 minutes.
In the second set, there was more to deal with than just tennis as the two had to play during a 5.7 magnitude earthquake.
The match was halted for about 30 seconds during Koepfer’s service game but when play resumed the lower-ranked German was all business as he took an early 3-1 lead.
Having threatened to break throughout the entire set, Zverev eventually sealed the incoming break at 5-4 down as the second set would head into a tiebreak.
In the end Zverev won the crucial points as he sealed victory in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
After the match Zverev praised Koepfer’s performance and gave his thoughts on playing during an earthquake, “He’s a very tough player to play right now. He won some incredible matches,” Zverev said in a press conference.
“Beating Raonic on a hard court the way that he did is very tough. I think he showed that he is somebody who can play extremely well on this level. Today, honestly, I thought I played a not bad match and he gave me a tough time.
“The lights started shaking and the crowd felt it more than we did. We were running around the court, so we had to play a point during the earthquake. We didn’t feel much, but still obviously I know it happens here in Acapulco.”
After a shaky experience, Zverev has sealed his place in the Acapulco final where he will play Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas ended the run of rising Italian star, Lorenzo Musetti, 6-1 6-3 to seal his place in tomorrow’s show-piece event.
Winning 85% of his first service points, Tsitsipas dominated most of the rallies to set up a fascinating contest against Zverev.
On the six occasions they have played, Tsitsipas has won on five of those occasions and will fancy his chances of winning the title in Acapulco for a first time.
The match will take place a 0300 GMT time.
