HALLE, WESTPHALIA/STARNBERG, June 21, 2025
In a thrilling semifinal at the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN 2025 in Halle, Daniil Medvedev edged past home favorite Alexander Zverev in an intense three-set battle, winning 7-6(3), 6-7(1), 6-4 in front of a raucous sold-out crowd of 11,500 in the OWL Arena on Saturday.
The match, played in sweltering conditions, lasted just under three hours and was a display of high-quality grass court tennis from both top-ten players. Zverev, ranked World No. 3, fought valiantly and saved three match points at 5–6 in the second set, igniting the crowd with an aggressive and passionate comeback to dominate the tiebreak 7–1 and force a deciding third set.
Medvedev, however, regrouped during a break between sets. “I changed all my clothes and cooled down with whatever I could find at the sink,” he revealed afterward. His refreshed mindset paid off immediately, as he broke Zverev early to go up 2–1 and never looked back. Despite Zverev earning three break points in the following game, Medvedev saved them all and held firm.
Final feels
The moment @DaniilMedwed took the win against Zverev in their first-ever grass meeting#TWO25 pic.twitter.com/tAJLKs0GKq
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 21, 2025
“He guessed four returns in a row in the final set – and all of them right,” said Zverev. “They were return winners that pushed me immediately into defense. And in the key moments, his serving was incredible. That’s hard to handle on grass.”
Though disappointed, Zverev remained upbeat about his performance. “It was a great match from both of us. I’d be more upset if I had played poorly or given the match away. That wasn’t the case today,” he said, while praising the electric atmosphere in Halle. “The crowd was amazing – as always in this stadium. I would’ve loved to play the final and I think I would’ve been the favorite. But now, I’m turning my full focus to Wimbledon. I’m happy with my level.”
For Medvedev, it marks his second final in Halle after 2022 and his 14th win in 16 meetings with Zverev. “I’m super tired now,” he admitted post-match. “Hopefully the second semifinal lasts long too, so my opponent is just as exhausted.”
Bublik grinds out second final in Halle
Alexander Bublik, the 2023 Halle champion, booked his spot in the final with a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over fellow big-hitter Karen Khachanov in 121 minutes.
Khachanov took the early lead with a quick break in the first set and secured it 6-4. But Bublik raised his level, using a bold net charge off a second serve in the tiebreak to claim the second set and shift momentum. He broke Khachanov at 3-3 in the decider — the only break of the set — and closed out the match with composure.
The run continues
Bublik comes back to defeat Khachanov 4-6 7-6 6-4 and returns to the Halle final!#TWO25 pic.twitter.com/J76cBujRFK
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 21, 2025
“I used my chances better,” said Bublik, who stunned top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round. With this win, Bublik improved his Halle record to 10–1, including an 8–0 mark against Top 25 players. Despite his strong form, the Kazakh will enter Sunday’s final as the underdog, having lost all six previous encounters with Medvedev — though never before on grass.
For Medvedev, Sunday will mark his 39th career final. He has won 20 titles, but only one on grass — in Mallorca in 2021 — and is still seeking a second triumph on the surface.
