HALLE, Germany (AFP) — World No. 1 Jannik Sinner survived a serving barrage from Jan-Lennard Struff to reach the semifinals of the Halle grass-court tournament on Friday.

Germany’s Struff unleashed 18 aces and saved 16 of 18 break points but still went down to a 6-2, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/3) loss to the Italian.

“It was a very tough match,” Sinner said.

“I had chances in the second, had chances in the third, but couldn’t use them.”

“I just try to accept these kinds of challenges.”

Sinner will next face Zhang Zhizhen of China, who came back from 2-5 down in the final set to defeat Christopher Eubanks of the United States 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Alexander Zverev of Germany edged closer to his first grass-court title with a come-from-behind victory over Arthur Fils in his quarterfinal.

French Open runner-up Zverev, the world No. 4, came through 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 against his French opponent.

The 27-year-old, a two-time finalist at Halle, becomes the first man since Roger Federer in 2019 to reach back-to-back semi-finals at the tournament.

“After the French Open, I was hoping on grass I would play a bit quicker and not play for two-and-a-half, three hours every single match, but I’m continuing what I always do,” Zverev said.

Zverev will take on 2022 champion Hubert Hurkacz for a place in the final.

Poland’s world No. 9 defeated Marcos Giron of the United States 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 on the back of 42 winners, including 11 aces.