Alex de Minaur Stuns Alexander Zverev to Reach Erste Bank Open Final

Posted : 01 November 2026

Alex de Minaur produced an impressive performance to defeat Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the 2026 Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Saturday, October 31.

The Australian secured a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) victory over the German top seed to book his place in Sunday's final. The result ended Zverev's hopes of celebrating his expected rise to the top of the ATP rankings with another tournament title.

De Minaur made a strong start and secured an early break to take control of the opening set. He maintained his advantage despite Zverev's efforts to recover, eventually winning the first set 6-4.

However, the German responded emphatically in the second set. Zverev broke De Minaur's serve twice and established a commanding 5-0 advantage before closing out the set 6-1.

The semifinal was therefore decided in a tense third set. Both players held their service games, forcing the contest into a deciding tiebreak.

De Minaur seized control early, racing into a 6-2 lead and creating four match points. Zverev saved two consecutive opportunities to reduce the deficit, but the Australian converted his third match point to win the tiebreak 7-4.

The victory represents an important result for De Minaur as he continues his pursuit of qualification for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.

According to the ATP's live rankings, the 27-year-old moved above Rafael Jodar into ninth position in the Race to Turin. With only the final qualifying places remaining, his performance in Vienna has strengthened his position ahead of the upcoming Paris Masters.

Zverev, meanwhile, will still achieve a major career milestone despite the defeat. The 29-year-old is set to replace Jannik Sinner as the world's No. 1 player on Monday, November 2.

He will become the 30th player to reach the top of the men's singles rankings. He will also be the oldest first-time world No. 1 since 1974.

In the other semifinal, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(2) to secure his place in the final. The Spanish star will face De Minaur in Sunday's championship match.

Alcaraz's victory also ended Medvedev's hopes of reaching the Vienna final, setting up an encounter between the tournament's second seed and fifth seed.

For De Minaur, the opportunity to claim another ATP 500 title comes at an important stage of the season. A strong finish in Vienna and the upcoming Paris Masters could determine whether he secures a place among the eight players competing at the ATP Finals.

Alex de Minaur Stuns Alexander Zverev to Reach Erste Bank Open Final

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