Zverev stops Nadal to set up Medvedev final in Paris

PARIS, (Reuters) - Top seed Rafael Nadal’s bid for a maiden Paris Masters title was halted yesterday when the Spaniard was beaten 6-4 7-5 in the semifinals by German fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who reached the final at Bercy in 2007, was only briefly in contention as he surrendered his serve three times.

The 20- time Grand Slam champion broke back after falling 4-2 behind in the second set but it was a brief comeback as the 23year-old Zverev stole his serve again in the 11th game.

He then served it out, prevailing on his second match point when Nadal’s forehand flew wide.

Zverev will look to claim his fourth Masters title against Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, who qualified with a commanding 6-4 7-6(4) victory against Canadian Milos Raonic.

“I feel good. Look, I’m in the final of a Masters, so I’m quite happy about that. And I have just beaten Rafa,” said Zverev.

“So that is never easy to do. I think the whole world will agree with me on that, all the players will agree with me on that. It’s going to be a final against Daniil. Obviously two best players of the tournament are still left.”

Nadal said he was satisfied with his overall performance in Paris, although he rued his tactical game-plan.

“I did things well. I think I returned better than the other days, but was impossible at the beginning. I think I understood that I had to go back too late, because I was not able to, he was serving bombs and hitting the right spots all the time,” he said.