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Match details
Fixture: (2) Alexander Zverev vs Dominik Koepfer
Date: 19 March 2021
Tournament: Abierto Mexicano Telcel 2021
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Acapulco, Mexico
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $1,053,560
Match timing: 8 pm local time, 7:30 am IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel
Alexander Zverev vs Dominik Koepfer preview
Alexander Zverev is set to take on Dominik Koepfer in the semifinals of the 2021 Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Friday.
Zverev has had a dominant campaign in Acapulco so far, winning all his matches in straight sets. He claimed a 6-3, 6-1 win over Carlos Alcaraz in his opening match, before knocking out Serbia's Laslo Dere 6-4, 6-3 in the Round of 16.
Zverev then had a potentially tricky matchup in the quarterfinals against eighth seed Casper Ruud, but the German ended up getting a walkover as Ruud had to withdraw due to injury.
Zverev hasn't made a final this year yet, and will be keen to change that on Friday.
World No. 71 Dominik Koepfer, meanwhile, had a negative win-loss record before this tournament. Now, however, he has a chance of making it to his maiden ATP singles final.
Apart from Gerardo Lopez Villasenor in the first round, Koepfer has faced a string of difficult opponents in Mexico. He claimed an easy 6-4, 6-2 win over World No. 563 Villasenor in the opener, but then had to stare down fourth seed Milos Raonic in the next round.
Koepfer was excellent in that match, winning 6-4, 6-2. He then locked horns with Britain's Cameron Norrie in the quarterfinals, winning in straight sets once again.
Five out of Koepfer's eight career finals in the Challengers and Futures have come on hardcourts, so he certainly knows how to play on this surface.
Alexander Zverev vs Dominik Koepfer head-to-head
Alexander Zverev and Dominik Koepfer have not faced off on tour before. Their head-to-head is currently tied at 0-0.
Alexander Zverev vs Dominik Koepfer prediction
Alexander Zverev, with his clinical baseline play and powerful serve, is one of the most difficult players to beat when on form. He has already smacked 11 aces in the tournament, and is looking good for more.
But Dominik Koepfer, with his powerful baseline strokeplay, is more than capable of competing with his compatriot in the semifinal. And while Zverev has the better backhand among the two, Koepfer's forehand can be a strong weapon in its own right.
The World No. 71 claimed his first win over a top 10 player at the Italian Open last year. With a little luck, he might just be able to improve on that record this Friday.
Prediction: Dominik Koepfer to win in three sets.
