The umpire decision that Alexander Zverev managed to get overturned during his Vienna Open match vs Alex de Minaur

Alexander Zverev’s loss to Alex de Minaur represented a damaging result for the German, who once again failed to challenge a top-ten rival.

It represents the continuation of a rather worrying run of form, and further fuels claims that he is undeserving of his title of the new world number one.

The match was marred by controversy on two occasions, both involving the German, as he exchanged words with the umpire.

His first grievance came with the balls, and he inexplicably complained to the referee, as if he could do something about this issue.

However, his second saw Alexander Zverev given a time violation, though the sanction did not last long.

Alexander Zverev’s complaint after receiving a time violation

Serving at 5-6 in the third set, to stay in the match and send it to a deciding tiebreak, tensions could not have been higher.

That perhaps made umpire Arnaud Gabas’ decision to hit Zverev with a time violation a somewhat unwise one, as it drew an explosive reaction from the 29-year-old.

He approached the net and argued that he had just been told to wait by the umpire himself, and that the delay was subsequently not his fault.

Whilst Zverev’s ball bouncing does border on tedious, on this particular occasion, it was unfair to punish him.

As a result of his justified complaint, Gabas actually reversed his own decision.

In the end, Zverev lost anyway in the subsequent tiebreak.

Alex de Minaur finally beats Alexander Zverev in a normal ATP tournament

Immediately after the match, De Minaur explained what made the difference vs Zverev, and resulted in him winning the match.

Interestingly, this actually represented his first-ever win over the two-time major champion in a solo format, with his previous four coming in team events.

The Aussie has twice beaten him at the Laver Cup, and enjoyed wins over him at the ATP Cup and United Cup.

Other than that, Zverev has won their other nine meetings.

This semi-final victory, regardless of what happens in the final, could be a turning point for De Minaur as he looks to break through his current ceiling in 2027.