Alexander Zverev completes career set of all nine Masters 1000 semifinals, joins exclusive list

Alexander Zverev hit two breakthroughs in one day on Thursday after downing Arthur Fils, 6-2, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells.

First of all, perhaps surprisingly, this is the first time he’s reached the semifinals of Indian Wells. The seven-time Masters 1000 champion's best previous results in tennis paradise were two quarterfinals, in 2021 (falling to Taylor Fritz) and 2024 (falling to Carlos Alcaraz).

Second of all, he’s now achieved the very rare feat of reaching the semifinals or better at all nine Masters 1000 events in his career. Indian Wells was the only one he was missing in his collection.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV'S BEST RESULT BY MASTERS 1000 EVENT:

• SFs of Indian Wells [2026]
• F of Miami [2018]
• SFs of Monte Carlo [2018, 2022]
• Won Madrid [2018, 2021]
• Won Rome [2017, 2024]
• Won Canada [2017]
• Won Cincinnati [2021]
• F of Shanghai [2019]
• Won Paris [2024]

Zverev, who was born in 1997, is the first player born in 1990 or later (or even 1988 or later) to reach the semifinals at all nine Masters 1000 events in his career, since Masters 1000 events began in 1990.

He's also the fifth man ever to do it, joining a very exclusive list.

PLAYERS TO REACH SEMIFINALS OR BETTER AT ALL NINE MASTERS 1000 EVENTS IN THEIR CAREER (since 1990):

• Rafael Nadal (completed at '09 Shanghai)
• Novak Djokovic (completed at '09 Paris)
• Roger Federer (completed at '10 Paris)
• Andy Murray (completed at '15 Paris)
• Alexander Zverev (completed at '26 Indian Wells)

And he’s only two wins away from completing a career set of Masters 1000 finals—he’s at least been to the final at seven of the nine, missing only Indian Wells and Monte Carlo.

Fils had given Zverev trouble before, winning two of their last four meetings—including at the last Sunshine Swing event in Miami last year. But Zverev was in control from start to finish this time, breaking serve four times and fighting off all three break points he himself faced in the match en route to a one-hour, 22-minute victory.

“Definitely a very good match,” the German said. “Arthur's somebody that, when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in the world, and he was on the way to being Top 10 last year. Injury stopped him, but I’m sure he’s going to be back at that level very, very soon.”

Up next for the No. 4 seed will be the winner of the quarterfinal match between No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner and No. 25 seed Learner Tien.