“Sorry to have won!”, launched the German, more or less ironically, to the public who ended up cheering him once the match won.
He will face defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th) or Diego Schwartzman (16th) on Saturday to try to reach the final of the Monegasque tournament for the first time.
The Tokyo Olympic champion had to play against Sinner... and the public, often favorable to Italian players when there is one on the court in Monte-Carlo.
As soon as he entered, the German was whistled and the tone was set.
However, he quickly broke away 4-1, chaining a series of 13 points won that put the spectators to sleep.
But the awakening of Sinner was accompanied by that of the public who pushed his player in his comeback up to 4-4.
And chants rose from the stands when, on a double fault, Zverev offered the break for 6-5 which allowed Sinner to serve for the win of the set.
Another roar accompanied Sinner's break in the second set to lead 2-1.
But Zverev immediately picked up and, despite the hostility of the public, took over his opponent's face-off to lead 5-3 and equalize on his serve at one set everywhere.
By breaking quickly to lead 2-1 in the third set, the German seemed to have done the hardest part.
But in his next service game, he attempted a spinner serve which preceded a second ball that was too long and therefore a double fault.
And two points later, Sinner landed a forehand winner that put them back at 2-2.
Zverev then took advantage of a double fault from Sinner to regain the lead (4-3).
He served for the win at 5-4 but Sinner came back at 5-5.
And the two men came to the tie break.
Like the whole game, this decisive game was breathless and ended with a final unforced error by Sinner in the net, on Zverev's first match point.
© 2022 AFP