It’s Germany vs. the USA on Saturday in Halle — a matchup that we might see on the soccer field next month based on early results at the World Cup. The semifinal schedule features Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz and Daniel Altmaier vs. Frances Tiafoe.
(1) Alexander Zverev vs. (5) Taylor Fritz
If Zverev starts winning matches against Fritz, then you really know he has turned a corner in his career. Winning a Grand Slam — as the 29-year-old just did at Roland Garros — is one thing; beating Fritz is another. Heading into Saturday’s Terra Wortmann Open semifinals, the American is dominating the head-to-head series 9-5 and has defeated Zverev an almost hard to believe six times in a row. His streak includes two grass-court victories — a five-setter at Wimbledon in 2024 and a straight-set win in last summer’s Stuttgart final.
Is Zverev a different player now, though, given that the weight of having never won a major is off his shoulders? That remains to be seen, but he is 3-0 since that triumph after beating Vit Kopriva, Yannick Hanfmann, and Raphael Collignon earlier this week. Fritz punched his ticket to the last four by ousting Zizou Bergs, Fabian Marozsan, and Ben Shelton — the latter 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 7-6(3). Zverev has been far from dominant so far in Halle and Fritz continues to be incredible on grass, so an upset (if you can call it that despite their recent history) is well within reason.
Pick: Fritz in 3
(WC) Daniel Altmaier vs. Frances Tiafoe
Like Fritz, Tiafoe also went the distance on Friday — saving five match points before outlasting Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(12). Thus continues a nice run of form for the 26th-ranked American, who also played well at the French Open (fourth round) and reached the quarterfinals last week in Stuttgart. Tiafoe preceded his win over Auger-Aliassime with straight-set defeats of Flavio Cobolli and Sho Shimabukuro.
Up next for the 28-year-old on Saturday is a fifth meeting with Altmaier. Tiafoe is sweeping the head-to-head series 4-0 and has beaten the German on clay (twice), a hard court, and grass. Altmaier gets another shot in this matchup following Halle victories over Nikoloz Basilashvili, Hubert Hurkacz, and Daniil Medvedev — the last two coming in tight three-setters. Credit the world No. 81 for making it this far, but there is no reason to think that he will suddenly get over the hump against Tiafoe.
Pick: Tiafoe in 2