In a thrilling quarterfinal showdown at the 2025 BMW Open by Bitpanda in Munich, Alexander Zverev, the German tennis titan ranked World No. 3, battled through a three-hour epic to defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-4 on April 18. The top seed’s heart-pounding victory, marked by resilience and raw determination, propelled him into the semifinals of the newly upgraded ATP 500 event, igniting hopes of a record-equaling third Munich title. “I’m extremely happy. Finally, I won a close one,” Zverev declared, his relief palpable. “I’ve lost a few of those in the past few months, and I always said, ‘I need to get one of these.’ I did today. I’m proud to win this match.”
Zverev’s journey to the Munich semifinals has been a narrative of redemption. After a stellar run to the Australian Open final in January 2025, the 27-year-old endured a frustrating spring, going 6-6 in tournaments and suffering early exits, including a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at Monte Carlo. The weight of those setbacks made his Munich performance all the more significant. Facing Griekspoor, who had stunned Zverev at Indian Wells in March, the German found himself in a familiar predicament when Griekspoor served for the match at 5-4 in the second set. But Zverev’s resolve held firm. “I’m extremely happy with how I hung in there, especially in the third set, being 0/40 down in my second service game,” he said, highlighting a critical moment where he staved off four break points to keep the match alive. A decisive break in the seventh game of the decider and a composed final hold secured his seventh win in nine encounters with Griekspoor.
The match wasn’t without drama. Late in the second set, a disruptive fan’s offensive remark briefly rattled Zverev, prompting him to request the spectator’s removal. “I don’t even care if it was a roller-coaster ride, I won,” he said with a wry smile, shrugging off the incident to refocus on the task at hand. His mental fortitude shone through, a testament to the hard work he’s poured into his game. “The hard work I’ve put in pays off at some point,” Zverev noted, expressing hope that this victory could mark a turning point. “Things can change very, very quickly in sport, and I hope this was the start.”
Zverev’s Munich campaign began with a 6-4, 6-1 rout of Alexandre Muller, followed by a 6-3, 6-2 dismantling of compatriot Daniel Altmaier, marking his first consecutive wins at the event since his 2018 title run. “Just the win [made me happy],” Zverev said after the Altmaier match, wary of his opponent’s ability to complicate top players. Now, as he eyes a third Munich crown to match Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record, Zverev faces Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in the semifinals, with a potential final against second seed Ben Shelton or Francisco Cerundolo looming. “I’m looking forward to the next two, hopefully,” he said, his sights set on reclaiming glory on home soil.
Munich holds a special place in Zverev’s heart. His back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, including a dominant 6-4, 6-3 win over Guido Pella and a final against Kohlschreiber, cemented his early rise. The tournament’s ATP 500 upgrade in 2025 has drawn a stacked field, yet Zverev’s connection to the Bavarian crowd fuels his drive. “The Center Court is now very, very beautiful,” he said of the venue’s new temporary setup, a prelude to a future retractable-roof arena. With 23 ATP titles, including six on German soil, Zverev’s quest for redemption is gaining momentum, and Munich may just be the stage where he rediscovers his championship form.