Alexander Zverev remains focused well after midnight and advances to the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters. The German looks physically refreshed in a hard-fought match.
Alexander Zverev is through to the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters in Madrid. The German tennis star beat the Czech Jakub Mensik 6:4, 6:7 (4:7), 6:3 in the round of the last 16 at a late hour. At 1:21 am, the world number three converted his first match point with an ace and threw his arms up in the air. Zverev did not show any physical problems as in the previous match.
In the duel for a place in the semi-finals, Zverev will face Flavio Cobolli. The Italian, seeded tenth, last eliminated the Hamburg player in the final round of the tournament in Munich with an outstanding performance. Zverev had won the two previous duels.
Sandkorn does not slow Zverev down
After complaining about physical problems in the previous round against the Frenchman Térence Atmane, Zverev looked refreshed in his first duel with the 20-year-old Mensik on the ATP Tour – despite the late start at 11.03 pm. Zverev immediately secured a break, which was enough to win the first set.
In the second set, the expected tough match developed, with the Czech, who is seeded 23rd, above all consistently winning his service games and also acting more offensively in the tie break.
In the third set, Zverev briefly struggled with a grain of sand in his eye, but then got the decisive break at 4:3.
Preparing for the French Open: Third title in Madrid?
In the past three years, Zverev had always failed in the round of 16. In 2022, the Hamburg native reached the final but missed out on his third title in the Caja Magica after 2021 and 2018. In Madrid, the Tokyo Olympic champion is preparing for the clay court highlight, the French Open (May 24 to June 7).
In a possible semi-final, Zverev would not face world number one Jannik Sinner this time. The Italian has won all three Masters tournaments so far, beating Zverev in the final round on the way there.
In Madrid, a clash would only be possible in the final after Carlos Alcaraz, the number two in the rankings, withdrew from the tournament due to injury.