Alexander Zverev needed a win like his 'close one' against Tallon Griekspoor in Munich

Alexander Zverev secured the W he was looking for on Friday afternoon at the BMW Open. Will it be the start of something bigger this European clay-court season?

For Tallon Griekspoor, it was a lost opportunity to replicate his Indian Wells victory over this year’s Australian Open runner-up.

Zverev battled past the Dutchman, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 6-4, after Griekspoor served for their quarterfinal clash at 5-4 in the second set.

“Finally I won a close one. I’ve lost a few of those the last few months. I always said, ‘I need to get one of these.’ And I did today,” he reflected with ATP Media.

Griekspoor previously sent Zverev packing in his opening BNP Paribas Open match last month, a significant moment for the 28-year-old who put an end to his 0-18 record against Top 5 opponents.

In the opening set of their Munich showdown, Griekspoor denied the two-time champion a chance to serve it out when he saved two break points at 5-5. Having closed out the tie-break on his third opportunity, the world No. 37 then seized the first break of the contest to launch the second set.

Griekspoor eventually put himself in position to cross the finish line, but blinked with the match on his racquet as Zverev broke back at 15 to level for 5-5. He had a chance to regain control early the decider, before the top seed staved off four break points to hold for 2-2. Zverev broke three games later and though Griekspoor would save three match points to reach 4-5, the home favorite had no problem wrapping up the comeback win.

“Extremely happy with how I hung in there, especially in the third set being 0-40 down in my second service game. Proud to win this match.”

Finally I won a close one. I’ve lost a few of those the last few months. I always said, ‘I need to get one of these.’ And I did today. Alexander Zverev

Zverev moved to 7-2 in the pair’s series. In 2024, he memorably erased a double break deficit to topple Griekspoor in a deciding tie-break at Roland Garros and then came through another final-set tiebreaker in Shanghai.

For a shot at returning to the final in the tournament's first edition as an ATP 500, Zverev takes on Fabian Marozsan Saturday. The Hungarian defeated Zizou Bergs, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Second seed Ben Shelton will meet fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo in the other semifinal. Shelton, who withstood three match points in his debut earlier this week, posted a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Luciano Darderi. Cerundolo dismissed David Goffin, 6-2, 6-4.