Basilashvili edges Zveresv, enters finale

Hamburg, July 27

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Defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili saved two match points against Alexander Zverev before battling past the German 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) to reach the final of the Hamburg European Open today.

Basilashvili was staring at defeat while trailing 3-5 in the third set but the 27-year-old dug deep to deny local favourite Zverev and stay on course for a third career ATP title.

In Sunday's title clash, the fourth-seeded Georgian takes on Russian Andrey Rublev who beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 7-5 6-1 in the other semi-final at the Rothenbaum Tennis Centre.

"It was a tough match, a tight match. There were a lot of ups and downs... I was emotional on court but I was able to finish it in the tiebreak and I'm really happy about that," Basilashvili said in a courtside interview.

This was Basilashvili’s only second win over a player ranked in the top five. — Reuters