Taylor Fritz 4-1 Alexander Zverev*
Better from Zverev as he steps into a backhand winner down the line followed by a forehand winner past Fritz.
The German gets on the board but looks to be grimacing slightly as Fritz blasts a backhand past him, followed by another ace.
Fritz serves into the net – and the ball actually gets stuck in one of the holes – before Zverev misses on the return.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 18:06
Taylor Fritz 3-0 Alexander Zverev*
Fritz thumps an ace down the middle to move to 40-0. Zverev comes out on top in a couple of rallies, but Fritz then finds another ace down the middle to take the hold. A strong start from the American as he looks for a seventh win in a row against Zverev.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 18:02
BREAK! *Taylor Fritz 2-0 Alexander Zverev
Fritz and Zverev are both big servers, so expect break-point opportunities to be at a premium.
Or maybe not. Fritz gets off to a solid start on serve but then jumps into 15-40 against the Zverev serve.
Fritz fires a forehand winner, pulls off a backhand lob, and then clips a forehand past Zverev that the German barely moved for.
And there is the break. Zverev puts a limp backhand into the net, and has made a very sluggish start to this one.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:59
*Taylor Fritz 0-0 Alexander Zverev
Zverev wins the toss and elects to receive.
Mark Petchey, who recently had a coaching spell with Emma Raducanu alongside his broadcasting commitments, is alongside Tim Henman on the commentary.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:49
Taylor Fritz v Alexander Zverev
It wouldn’t be a tennis event without some protracted build-up, but the pre-match ceremonies are underway, beginning with a light show on the court.
Fritz and Zverev are introduced out onto the court – and there are still a few hundred empty seats in the 8,000-capacity arena before the opening quarter-final of the day.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:45
Taylor Fritz v Alexander Zverev
“He’s someone who has made a lot of wins against me recently”, Alexander Zverev says as he looks ahead to his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz. Zverev says the American has “improved a lot” over the last 12 months, with the 27-year-old getting through to a US Open final and Wimbledon semi-final over the last couple of years.
Fritz has six wins in a row against Zverev and says “moments” have gone his way in each one.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:40
Six Kings Slam broadcast underway, live on Netflix
The broadcast of the opening day’s play is now underway, live on Netflix. It begins with a rather bold announcement, that the players will be competing for the “biggest prize in the sport”. In terms of prize money, sure, but let’s not pretend this is anything other than an exhibition.
Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Feliciano López are courtside in Riyadh, working as pundits for Netflix this week.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:35
Matches are played over best-of-three sets, using the same scoring system as tour events on the ATP. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have received a bye to the semi-finals.
Since the Six Kings Slam is an exhibition, the event is not allowed to have matches on three consecutive days. There is therefore no play scheduled on Friday and the final will be played on Saturday.
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:35
Carlos Alcaraz all smiles after warming up
After arriving last night, Carlos Alcaraz has familiarised himself with the match court at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.
And he already has his eyes on Jannik Sinner…
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:30
Novak Djokovic arrives for Six Kings Slam
Novak Djokovic has landed in Riyadh ahead of the Six Kings Slam, and was pictured chatting with Stefanos Tsitsipas ahead of his opening match tomorrow.
Despite his physical concerns after struggling through the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic has made it to the exhibition.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood15 October 2025 17:20