Spain s Carlos Alcaraz returns the ball to Italy s Lorenzo Musetti, during the final match of the Hamburg tennis tournament, Germany, Sunday July 24, 2022. (Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa via AP)
With the victory, the 19-year-old Spaniard is in his tour-leading sixth final of the year.
``It's amazing to be in a final here again,'' said Alcaraz, who won his maiden ATP title here last year.
He overcame his first dropped set in the clay-court tournament and a roll of his ankle in the semifinal against the 20-year-old Italian.
``At the moment it is good,'' Alcaraz said about his ankle. ``I don't feel too much right now. Let's see tonight or tomorrow morning, but I am going to say I will be ready for the final.''
In his first real test in Umag after two straight-set victories, Alcaraz converted six of his 15 break points while Zeppieri, who didn't win a tour-level match before this week, broke him four times.
Sunday's final against second-seeded Jannik Sinner will be Alcaraz's 100th match on the tour.
Sinner eased past fellow Italian Franco Agamenone, a qualifier, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to his first ATP final this year and eighth overall.
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