Medvedev defeats old rival Zverev to reach Halle Open final
HALLE, Germany — Daniil Medvedev ended home favorite Alexander Zverev's hopes of grass-court glory with a 7-6 (3), 6-7 (1), 6-4 win in their Halle Open semifinal on Saturday.
Medvedev recovered from squandering three match points on Zverev's serve at 5-6 in the second set and took nearly 3 hours to get past his old rival and reach his first final in 15 months.
It's Medvedev's fourth consecutive win over Zverev and it extended his lead to 13-7 in their head-to-head series.
The Russian player will face Alexander Bublik — who beat top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the second round — or Karen Khachanov in Sunday's final.
Medvedev hasn't played a final since March 2024, when he lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells.
Zverev, who had been bidding to reach the Halle final for the third time, will to wait for his first title on grass.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal
The post Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the 28th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics took a calculated swing on Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez, an acquisition ESPN's Jonathan Givony called 'one of the biggest steals of the draft,' via Noa Dalzell. Advertisement Gonzalez, a 19-year-old from Madrid, Spain, played the 2024–25 season with Real Madrid, competing in both the EuroLeague and Liga ACB. In 29 domestic games, he averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. His shooting splits stood at 44.4% from the field, 27.1% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free-throw line. Despite a limited role off the bench, Gonzalez showed flashes of high-level potential, particularly on the defensive end. Known for his NBA-ready 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame and versatile defensive skillset, Gonzalez has drawn comparisons to Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat). His offensive game remains a work in progress, as he shot just 27% from three over the past three years and lacks consistent shot creation, but his strengths lie in his ability to finish at the rim, cut effectively, and thrive in transition. Jonathan Givony praised Gonzalez during ESPN's live broadcast, citing his energy, athleticism, and high motor as standout traits. Givony also reported that the Celtics plan to bring Gonzalez to Boston for the 2025–26 season rather than stashing him overseas. This was only the second first-round pick made under Brad Stevens' tenure as Boston's president of basketball operations. With Gonzalez projected to join the roster immediately, the Celtics are expected to have 14 players under contract next season, though some are on non-guaranteed deals. Advertisement Gonzalez joined Real Madrid's youth team at just nine years old and made his senior debut at 16 in 2022. Despite not having fully broken through, his pedigree and experience at one of Europe's top clubs have made him a valued prospect. Amid a busy offseason that saw Boston trade away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to stay under the second tax apron, following Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury, Hugo Gonzalez represents a low-risk, high-upside addition. The Celtics also hold the 32nd pick early in the second round, giving them another opportunity to bolster their roster. Related: Brad Stevens reveals Celtics' 'foundation' amid Jaylen Brown, Derrick White trade rumors Related: Brad Stevens hits Celtics with harsh reality after major trades
31 minutes ago
US women beat Ireland 4-0 for the second straight match
CINCINNATI -- Izzy Rodriguez scored in her first appearance for the national team and the United States shut out Ireland 4-0 on Sunday. Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson also scored for the United States, which beat Ireland by an identical score in Commerce City, Colorado, on Thursday. The United States went up early when Biyendolo took a cross from Emma Sears and calmly scored her 25th international goal in the 11th minute. Biyendolo was captain for the match. 'I say this all the time, it's such an honor to even play for the national team, be a part of camps. But to be captain, I'm going to remember this day forever,' Biyendolo said. Left back Rodriguez started in her debut and scored on a rebound goal in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0. After halftime, Sears kept the ball in play and sent it to Olivia Moultrie, who crossed to Ryan for the goal in the 66th minute. It was Ryan's first international goal. Thompson came off the bench and scored in her second straight match in the 86th minute. Rose Lavelle, who is from Cincinnati, was sent in as a substitute in the 87th minute by coach Emma Hayes after the crowd at TQL Stadium started chanting her name. Lavelle scored in Thursday's match, making her first appearance of the year for the national team after having ankle surgery. 'Emma had said she'd put me in for a little cameo at the end, so that was always the plan,' Lavelle said. 'I really appreciated that. I think it's always special coming home.' In addition to Rodriguez, Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza also started in her debut for the team. Hayes made 11 changes to the starting lineup from Thursday's match. Twenty-four players have made their debut for the national team in 24 games under Hayes, who has been tasked with preparing the team for qualification for the Women's World Cup. 'I think we are still pushing. We want to get a game that we score five goals. But I think that what we want right now is the ability to put anybody into the lineup, and that there's a consistency and the level doesn't drop,' Biyendolo said. The United States was without many of its Europe-based players, including Lindsay Heaps and Crystal Dunn, who Hayes was resting following the European season. Ireland was also missing a few stars, including Katie McCabe, who was given time off after the season with Arsenal, and Denise O'Sullivan, who plays for the North Carolina Courage and is injured. 'I feel like everybody is not just trusting the process, but carrying out all the things we ask them to do,' Hayes said. 'Everybody's showed themselves so, so well.'
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Emotional Ravens Responses Pouring In As Kyle Hamilton Issues Major Announcement This Weekend
Emotional Ravens Responses Pouring In As Kyle Hamilton Issues Major Announcement This Weekend originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens selected safety Kyle Hamilton with the 14th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has already made quite the name for himself in just three seasons in the league. Advertisement In a recent article by PFF's Jonathon Macri, he ranks who he believes are the top 25 players under the age of 25 going into the season. At No. 3, he has Hamilton ranked as the top defensive player on his list. And we know at least one Ravens fan who agrees wholeheartedly. On Friday, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton took to IG to announce his engagement to longtime girlfriend Reese Damm, his high school sweetheart. According to the couple's social media post, Hamilton proposed while in France, with some friends and loved ones in attendance. And the two-time Pro Bowler drew the attention of some prominent teammates who poured their own emotion into the thread. As noted by TheSpun ... Advertisement "Congrats CrashOut K !" Derrick Henry exclaimed. "TWIN REALLY GROWING UP🥲" Isaiah Likely said. "Congrats Family🤞🏽" "Congrats!!! 💜" the Baltimore Ravens replied. "Congrats fam 💯" Zay Flowers posted. Yes, Hamilton is on a roll, with PFF writing that he "has quickly established himself as one of the league's top safeties, finishing in the top three at his position in at least one of PFF overall grade. Hamilton's versatility makes him one of the most valuable safeties in the league, and he even brings pass-rush upside, having generated 36 pressures and seven sacks in his NFL career." The Ravens allowed the 10th fewest yards in the league this past season, and Hamilton was a very big part of that. Advertisement He finished 2024 with a very impressive 107 total tackles, which placed him in the top 45 in the league. He was also able to show his ball-hawks skills with nine pass deflections and an interception to go with two sacks. ... and now, the pursuit of two rings as well. Related: Steelers Ex 'Hard-Nosed' Free Agent Labeled 'Best Fit' Free Agent for Ravens This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
