With a show of strength, tennis professional Daniel Altmaier from Kempen continued his winning ways at the ATP tournament in Halle (Westphalia) and reached the semi-finals for the first time.
The 27-year-old beat the Russian Daniil Medvedev, Halle finalist in 2022 and 2025, 6:4, 6:7 (6:8), 6:4 after 2:45 hours of play on Friday evening. “I’m super happy to have won here. Unbelievable, something very special,” said Altmaier, who was loudly cheered by the German fans: “I’m just happy and want to enjoy the moment.”
Altmaier has been in a semi-final on the ATP tour in Kitzbühel for the first time since July 2021. He had never reached the semi-finals in Halle before. In the duel for the final on Saturday, the German will face the American Frances Tiafoe, who defeated the Canadian world number four Félix Auger-Aliassime in the last game of the day after 2:33 hours with 3:6, 6:3, 7:6 (14:12).
Knee problems cannot stop Altmaier
With temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, Altmaier got the first break chance in the first game when the score was 30:30 and used it to take a 1-0 lead. The player from Kempen was then able to fend off a break point at both 1:0 and 5:3 and finally converted his second set point after 45 minutes to make it 6:4.
In the second set, Medvedev showed no weakness on his own serve. Altmaier, on the other hand, had to fend off three break chances in his first two service games, but then became more confident again and reached the tiebreak. On the second set ball, Medvedev closed the bag and won 8:6.
In the third round, Altmaier had to take a medical break due to knee problems. But even the physical difficulties couldn’t stop him. There were no chances of a break for a long time. Altmaier took advantage of the first and took the lead 5:3, but then gave up his own serve game to nil. But Altmaier immediately hit back, took a 40-0 lead in the next game and secured his place in the semi-finals with the third match point. Previously, French Open winner Alexander Zverev had already reached the semi-finals in a game of nerves.
Tiebreaker drama between Shelton and Fritz
Taylor Fritz, who will face Zverev in the semi-finals, is also in the semi-finals. In the quarterfinals against Ben Shelton there was not a single break in three sets. The two Americans fought each other’s serves and fought a duel at eye level. After 2:45 hours in the East Westphalian midday heat, Fritz prevailed 6:7 (5:7), 7:6 (10:8), 7:6 (7:3) and took revenge for the final defeat in Stuttgart last week.
Despite the close tiebreak decisions, Fritz ultimately deservedly prevailed. The 28-year-old, a feared opponent of Zverev with nine wins in 14 duels, served 24 aces and did not allow Shelton a single break point. In the second set he fended off a match point. With the victory, Fritz still has a chance of winning the next lawn title. He has already won five tournaments on the fast surface – four times in Eastbourne and once in Stuttgart.
Our sources:
- Live broadcast of the games
- News agencies sid + dpa
- Homepage of the Terra Wortmann Open
Broadcast: WDR.de, “Altmaier follows Zverev into the semi-finals”, June 19, 2026, 8:21 p.m
