Alexander Zverev equals Boris Becker's record after reaching 11th Masters final

Fifth-ranked Alexander Zverev defeated Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6, 6-2 to reach the Italian Open tennis final. In the final, he will face Chile's Nicolas Jarry, who defeated Tommy Paul 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. 

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With this win, Alexander Zverev equalled compatriot Boris Becker’s record for the most Masters finals by a German since the series began in 1990.

This is Alexander Zverev's third final in Rome. He won his first Masters Series title in 2017 by defeating Novak Djokovic. A year later, he lost to Rafael Nadal.

Third seed Zverev looked like he would become the latest high-ranking victim of an unusual men’s tournament when he was battered in a sensational opening set.

But Zverev battled back and after coming through a tight second set his class eventually showed, making the final at the Foro Italico for the third time.

“I was just hanging on in the second set. I brought my energy up. I was really just hanging on and waiting and the patience was kind of good today,” Alexander Zverev said on court.

“He hit me off the court in the first set and I did not play well at all, but he was a big reason why. He gave me no rhythm and I am happy I turned it around in the tie-break and ran away in the third set.”

Alexander Zverev will be a big favourite to win Sunday’s championship match when he faces Tabilo’s countryman Jarry. 

Jarry is guaranteed to move up to a career-high number 17 in the world rankings after reaching his seventh ATP final.

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The 28-year-old is hunting his fourth tour title after coming through a more prosaic encounter with American Paul than Zverev had with Tabilo.