‘Special’ to join Big Four in history books – Zverev

Alexander Zverev said it felt “very special” to become just the fifth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments and join elite company after he booked his place in the last four at Indian Wells.

The German claimed a confident 6-2 6-3 victory over Frenchman Arthur Fils to reach the last four of the California-based tournament for the first time.

By completing the set of Masters 1000 semi-final appearances, Zverev joins a club featuring only tennis’ ‘Big Four’ – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“It’s very special to be one of five players in history to ever do it,” Zverev said.

“For sure, yeah, it’s something that I’m very proud of.”

Zverev has taken the title at five of the nine Masters 1000 events, but he has never won a Grand Slam title despite reaching three major finals.

The fourth seed will have to snap a five-match losing streak against world number two Jannik Sinner if he is to move one step closer to the Indian Wells trophy.

Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, sealed his spot in the semi-finals later on Thursday with a rapid 66-minute 6-1 6-2 win against American Learner Tien.

In the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka held off Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko to keep her hopes of a first Indian Wells title alive.

Mboko pushed Sabalenka hard in the opening set but the Belarusian ran away with it in the tie-break before finally cracking the 19-year-old’s serve in the fifth game of the second to grab a 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 win.

Sabalenka, a two-time runner up at Indian Wells, praised her opponent’s bravery.

“A future star, a future Grand Slam champion, no doubt about that,” she said of Mboko.

“It’s incredible to see these young girls these days, how brave they are. They go out there, they go after their shots, they’re aggressive, they’re fighting.

“It’s incredible to see and for sure we are going to play many more matches in the future.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion will face Czech 14th seed Linda Noskova in the semi-finals after she ended Australian qualifier Talia Gibson’s dream run with a 6-2 4-6 6-2 victory.