Article by Luminița Paul – published on Friday, June 20, 2025 7:34 / Updated on Friday, June 20, 2025 7:48
Alexander Zverev (28 years old, 3rd place ATP) defeated Flavio Cobulli (23 years, number 24 ATP) 6-4, 7-6 (6), after vomiting, and Daniil Medvedev (29 years old, 11th place) Alex Michelsen (20 years, number 33 ATP) after taking blood from the nose. Will be their duel with number 20.
World number 3, Alexander Zverevhad a difficult beginning in his final with final with Flavio Cobulliin the ATP 500 tournament on the grass from Halle, but eventually won 6-4, 7-6 (6).
Zverev crossed an unpleasant moment, having to leave the ground in a hurry for an improvised toilet break at 1-0, 40-40 in the first set, but later imposed in one hour and 41 minutes on OWL Arena.
Alexander Zverev: “I went to vomit, I do not know what it was”
“I felt good before the match, and then, serene, I felt very, very bad, I felt sick,” explained Zverev. “I went to vomit, and 15 minutes later I was fine again. So I don't know what it was. To be honest, I haven't gone through this before. I hope I will be fine in the next two hours, when the adrenaline will calm down. After that I think it was a pretty good match“, explained Sascha.
Zverev released his emotions after a strong service, which Cobulli could not return, to ensure his victory in the second set. The second favorite of the tournament now has a 21-8 balance sheet in Halle, where it has reached the final in 2016 and 2017. For now, it is only the fifth player who reaches five or more semifinals after former champions Roger Federer, Yevggy Kafelnikov, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Tommy Haas.
Alexander Zverev before vomiting in “quarters” at Halle Photo: Imago Images
Finalist at Stuttgart last week, Zverev will face one of his oldest rivals in the semifinals: Daniil Medvedev.
Daniil Medvedev, nasal bleeding: “No new problem”
It had passed earlier, in the first match of the day, of Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-3 to reach its third ATP semifinal this season. And the Russian player had a medical problem during the match: he stopped suddenly, although there was no break between games, and spread on his bench. Then he used his towel to stop a nasal bleeding, but solved with the help of the medical team.
“I tend to have nasal bleeding when they are in dry environments. In the south of France, where I live, it does not happen because of the humidity there, but here the air is drier and I felt immediately that it will start to bleed. It is not a serious or new problem“, Daniil explained later, in the mixed area.
Daniil Medvedev bleached nasal in the match in “quarters” from Halle Photo: Imago Images
The former ATP leader has the guarantee that he will return for Monday, June 23, in the top 10 of the world ranking, after spending six weeks in 11th place. Medvedev leads Zverev with 12-7 in direct matches.
“I think it is the guy I played the most in my career so I can't wait“Said Zverev before his first meeting with Medvedev from the Australian Open 2024 semifinal.”A lot of things have happened in the past 18 months. He is definitely one of the most difficult opponents in my career. It will be a great match and I can hardly wait to face it“, assured the German.
