The expected procession to the decider does not quite materialise as Fritz comes out all guns blazing on the return.

The No.5 seed edges an enthralling all-court rally and then unloads a belting backhand down the line Sascha can only jab into the net.

The German leans on his serve to reach 30-30 but coughs up the break point with a timid and unconvincing half volley.

The serve saves the day again and Zverev looks set to ease through, but Fritz wins a wonderful cat and mouse face-off at the net to keep the heat on around deuce.

It only delays the inevitable in the end, however, as the German hammers down a big first serve and an ace to close the door.