US Open finalist and top-seed Alexander Zverev has defeated France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the Cologne Championship.

Zverev, who missed the chance to settle the match when he served at 5-3 in the second set, eventually prevailed after two hours, 40 minutes to move a step closer to his second Cologne title in as many weeks.

The German city is hosting back-to-back ATP competitions that were added to the pandemic-disrupted schedule.

The 23-year-old Zverev defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Cologne Indoors last Sunday and the duo could yet meet again, after the Canadian beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3 6-4 in the last quarterfinal.

Auger-Aliassime will take on second-seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina for a place in the final.

Schwartzman had earlier trailed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 2-6 2-5 but fought back to win 2-6 7-6 (3) 6-1.

Zverev faces Italian wild card Jannik Sinner, who recovered after losing eight games in a row to upset Gilles Simon 6-3 0-6 6-4, in the last four.