Zverev Beats Tsitsipas and Joined by Rune, Humbert, Khachanov in Paris Masters Semis

 Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
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Zverev Beats Tsitsipas and Joined by Rune, Humbert, Khachanov in Paris Masters Semis

 Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)
Germany's Alexander Zverev looks on as he plays against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day five of the Paris ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on November 1, 2024. (AFP)

Alexander Zverev advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Masters by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4 on Friday and knocking the Greek player out of contention for the ATP Finals.

The third-seeded German saved the only break point he faced.

Zverev, the French Open runner-up, next faces 2022 champion Holger Rune for a shot at the title. He's into his third Paris semifinals in the past four years, though he's never won the hard-court tournament.

The first break point opportunity came in the 11th game as Tsitsipas struggled with his first serve. Zverev got the break for 6-5 on an unforced error.

Tsitsipas then saved two set points but squandered his only break point chance with his 17th unforced error before Zverev closed out the set.

Zverev broke again in the third game of the second set to take full control. He rattled off 12 straight points in his final three service games.

With the victory, Zverev became the first player born in the 1990s to record 100 wins over top-20 players. Daniil Medvedev is on 99.

The 10th-seeded Tsitsipas, who reached the ATP Finals for five consecutive years, had 28 unforced errors to 18 winners.

Rune outlasted Alex de Minaur 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2 1/2-hour baseline fight. Rune improved to 3-2 against the Australian.

Grigor Dimitrov's hopes of making the ATP Finals were set back after the 2023 finalist was upset by 2018 champion Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-3 for the first time. Khachanov lost their four previous matches.

Dimitrov was 10th in the race to the top-eight ATP Finals in Turin.

Khachanov improved to 12-1 in the last three weeks after winning the Almaty title and reaching the Vienna final.

He'll face in the semifinals local hope Ugo Humbert, who defeated Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-2, 7-6 (4) a day after stunning Carlos Alcaraz.

Humbert has reached his first Masters semifinal, and he's the first Frenchman to go this far in Paris in seven years.



Corinthians Knocked Out by Argentina's Racing in Copa Sudamericana Semifinal

Players of Racing celebrate after a Copa Sudamericana second leg semifinal match between Racing Club and Corinthians, at the Presidente Peron stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 31 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
Players of Racing celebrate after a Copa Sudamericana second leg semifinal match between Racing Club and Corinthians, at the Presidente Peron stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 31 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
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Corinthians Knocked Out by Argentina's Racing in Copa Sudamericana Semifinal

Players of Racing celebrate after a Copa Sudamericana second leg semifinal match between Racing Club and Corinthians, at the Presidente Peron stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 31 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
Players of Racing celebrate after a Copa Sudamericana second leg semifinal match between Racing Club and Corinthians, at the Presidente Peron stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 31 October 2024. EPA/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

Argentina's Racing beat Brazil's Corinthians 2-1 on Thursday and advanced to its first Copa Sudamericana final. The first leg in Sao Paulo last week ended 2-2.
Racing's rival at the Nov. 23 decider in Asuncion will be another Brazilian team, Cruzeiro, which reached the final after beating Argentina's Lanus 1-0 on Wednesday.
Corinthians opened the scoring in Buenos Aires with a back heel assist by Dutch striker Memphis Depay to Yuri Alberto. But Racing turned its fortunes around by converting a penalty kick in the 36th minute and three minutes later after a quick counter. Both goals came from Juan Fernando Quintero, The Associated Press reported.
Racing avoided a full field of Brazilian teams in the South American club soccer finals. The Copa Libertadores final will be contested by Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30.
The 30-year-old Depay, who looks to continue playing for the Dutch national team, has a contract at Corinthians until the 2026 World Cup. His team is currently fighting against relegation in the Brazilian championship, which has seven more rounds to go this season.