After spending enough time on the green surfaces, it is now time for the players to take a tour to clay once again. Alexander Zverev, after his defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open finals, has made it to semi-finals at the Hamburg European Open After a remarkable straight set victory over Zhang Zhizhen, he now looks forward to secure a position in the finals with a showdown against Pedro Martinez. While the Spaniard has also proved to be strong enough in the ongoing tournament, will he be able to pose a tough challenge against the native?

Alexander Zverev vs Pedro Martinez: Preview

Despite the dispelling concerns about his knee, the German has managed to defy the odds with a solid win over Zhizhen Zhang. Although he had to go through some challenges in his semifinal rounds this year, he has been performing well on clay, winning two of his last semifinals on this surface.

Key Stats:

• Current Ranking: No. 14 in the world
• Recent Match: Defeated Zhizhen Zhang 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals
• Performance vs. Zhizhen Zhang:
  • 7 aces and 24 winners
  • Saved 2 of 3 break points
  • Converted 4 of 8 break points
  • Won 82% of first-serve points and 58% of second-serve points
• Win-Loss Record on Grass This Season: 5-2

Pedro Martinez, on the other hand, has reached the semifinals of the Hamburg European Open with remarkable comebacks in each of his matches. In the first round, he fought back from a 2-5 deficit in the first set against Matteo Arnaldi and won. In the second round, he was down 2-5 in the final set against Ugo Blanchet but managed to win. His most recent match saw him rise up from a set deficit to beat Francisco Cerundolo.

Key Stats:

• Current Ranking: No. 62 in the world
• Recent Match: Beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-6 in the quarterfinals
• Performance vs. Francisco Cerundolo:
  • 5 aces and 31 winners
  • Saved 6 of 12 break points
  • Converted 3 of 7 break points
  • Won 73% of first-serve points and 48% of second-serve points
• Win-Loss Record on Grass This Season: 6-4, with notable wins against Jaume Munar and Thiago Monteiro

Zverev vs Martinez: Head-to-head

The head-to-head column for Alexander Zverev and Pedro Martinez looks vacant. Although the German has navigated his way through countless challenges, he’s yet to encounter this one.

Prediction: Zverev in straight sets

The German ATP star Zverev currently stands on a high ranking and good form. Known for his ability to secure notable positions like in the finals of Roland Garros this year, Zverev will likely control the pace of the match. Zverev’s forehand and backhand down the line are likely to be dominant over his rival, with win percentages of 54.6% and 51.4% on clay, respectively.

His baseline also provides a better edge, as it makes a perfect victory blend with his experience on the surface. Zverev has won 73.3% of his matches on clay, marking another reason why he is a better pick. With his powerful groundstrokes and precise shot-making, the German is expected to possess control, finally leading to a straight-set win.