Follow us on Google Discover Alexander Zverev advanced to the semifinals of the Vienna Open via a walkover after his opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, withdrew before the match had started.
Zverev and Griekspoor were due to take to Centre Court in Vienna after Alex de Minaur’s win over Matteo Berrettini, but the Dutchman pulled out due to a back injury.
His setback was the second of the day, following Felix-Auger-Aliassime’s retirement from his quarterfinal matchup with Jaume Munar at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Immediately after his withdrawal, Griekspoor took to social media to issue an apology to the fans at the Vienna Open.
Photo by Mathias Schulz/Newhouse Media/MB Media/Getty ImagesTallon Griekspoor apologised after withdrawing in Vienna
Griekspoor had enjoyed a promising start to his campaign in Austria, having knocked out fifth seed Karen Khachanov in the first round.
In round two, he overcame Brandon Nakashima in straight sets, clinching two consecutive tiebreak victories to best the American.
The world number 28 had beaten Zverev in their last hard-court meeting at Indian Wells earlier this year, and he was looking to claim his third career win over the German.
His body let him down, however, and immediately after withdrawing, Griekspoor uploaded a post on his Instagram story to say: “I’m sorry. See you next year, Vienna!”
Alexander Zverev closes in on Andy Murray’s ATP record
With Griekspoor’s withdrawal, Zverev has become the fourth player to book his spot in the ATP Finals, following Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic.
The world number three has now qualified for the year-end tournament eight times, one less than the tally of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.
Players with the most ATP Finals appearances in history
Murray appeared at the ATP Finals eight times in his career, despite qualifying for the event nine times, but he missed out in 2013 due to injury.
The player with the most ATP Finals appearances in history is Roger Federer, who Djokovic will match next month should the Serb decide to feature in Turin.