Tommy Haas stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2017 Mercedes Cup with a stunning 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 win over Roger Federer on Wednesday. It was a remarkable performance from the 39-year-old who needed an hour and 54 minutes to produce the three-set win. Haas definitely dialed back the years as he handed the seven-time Wimbledon champion just his second loss of the season. It was the German’s fourth victory in 17 meetings against the 18-time Grand Slam winner.
Haas will try to become the oldest player to reach an ATP World Tour semi-final since 40-year-old Jimmy Connors in 1993 in San Francisco when he locks horns with Mischa Zverev this coming Friday. Haas leads Zverev in their head-to-head matchup, 1-0. He defeated Zverev in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Halle tournament, 7-6 (5), 6-2. There’s a certain comfort level for Haas when it comes to grass. Two of his four victories against the great Federer have come on this fast surface.
Tommy Haas may have the home crowd behind him but Mischa Zverev will be no pushover when it comes to this quarterfinal showdown. Zverev displayed tremendous resiliency in his second round victory against Yannick Hanfmann, saving 10 of 11 break points in a gritty 7-6(1), 6-2 win. Friday’s showdown will be his third career quarterfinal appearance in this event. Zverev’s winless though at this stage of this tournament.
For Zverev to reverse that trend against Haas, the 29-year-old needs to get his service game going quickly. He won 75 percent of his first serve points in the second round against Hanfmann. Zverev’s serve-and-volley technique is perfect for a surface such as grass where he is unbeaten in two matches this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Zverev ends Haas’ dream run with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
