Final day in Vienna.
2021 Erste Bank Open - an ATP 500 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in Vienna, Austria, 25-31 October 2021.
2020 champion (not defending):
Andrey Rublev (5) who defeated lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-4
Final:
Qualifier Frances Tiafoe (USA) v Alexander Zverev (2) (Germany)
Zverev had won five of the six previous meetings between the pair, the most recent a straight sets victory in Beijing in October 2019.
Zverev was in his 27th final, hoping for an 18th title. The last was the Cincinnati Masters in August this year. Tiafoe was in his third final, hoping for a second title, his sole trophy picked up in Delray Beach in February 2018.
In set one, Tiafoe saved a break point in the second game, then the two exchanged breaks of serve in the fourth and fifth games.
Serving at 5-6, Tiafoe saved one set point, saw two game points disappear before a second set point was converted. Zverev led 7-5.
In set two, Tiafoe once more saved a break point in the second game and games were on serve when the American was at the line trailing 2-3.
From 30-15, Tiafoe stood at the net while a Zverev forehand winner sailed past him, then he failed with an attempted volley. The break point was saved when Zverev pulled a forehand wide. Two further break chances were saved and games were 3-3.
Zverev saved a break point in the ninth game, leaving Tiafoe to serve at 4-5 to stay in the match.
A netted backhand volley from Tiafoe, followed by a Zverev backhand winner and 0-30. A mishit from Tiafoe and three match points for Zverev.
A backhand return winner sealed the contest for Zverev 7-5 6-4.
Title number five in 2021 for Alexander Zverev. 35 winners, 19 of them aces.
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