ATP
Zverev survives swoon to open with Madrid win
Alexander Zverev bounced back nicely after a “terrible” second set, with the two-time Madrid Masters champion dispatching Argentine clay courter Mariano Navone 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the third round on Saturday.
The German admitted to a severe clump in the second set as he adjusted to the altitude of the Spanish capital.
Zverev cleaned up his game in remarkable fashion, losing just three points on serve in the final set to advance in one and three-quarter hours.
“The first set was nearly perfect, then I lost focus completely,” the winner waid as he prepares to face Terrance Atmane in the third round on Monday. “It was terrible.
“But the level was still there, I played great tennis in the first and third sets. I have to focus on that.”
Zverev, title winner here in 2018 and 2021, is competing on clay for the third time this season after semi-finals this month in Monte Carlo and at home in Munich.
But he said there are adjustments required to pay in the particular Madrid conditions.
‘The altitude change means changing string tensions. Mine are looser to get more spin.
“This is a different tournament here – you either love it or hate it.”
Zrerev advanced with 13 winners and 27 unforced errors, breaking Navone four times.
Carlos Alcaraz could miss the entire grass season if a worst-case scenario on his wrist injury comes into play.
The Spaniard has already withdrawn from title defences on clay at Rome and Roland Garros after injuring the wrist this month in Barcelona.
But latest reports from Spain indicate that the world No. 2 could possibly not be back until the start of the US Open run-up next August, possibly at the Cincinnati Masters.
Rome’s La Gazzetta dello Sport broke the bad news on the fitness state of Alcaraz, winner of the last two French Open editions. The paper reported there was no chance for the player to compete either at Queen’s club, London, or Wimbledon, which begins in late June.
Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz reached Wimbledon final 2025 – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd
Jannik Sinner ran his Masters 1000 win streak to 24 straight on Sunday, reaching the fourth round in Madrid 6-2, 6-3 over qualifier Elmer Moller.
The No. 169 Dane was treated during a medical timeout late in the first set for abdominal muscle pain, carrying on to make a match of it against the world No. 1 Italian.
Sinner, who has lost just two sets over the course of his win streak, kept his unforced error count to nine in a 67-minute victory.
“I felt better today than in the first match, the winner said. “I tried to stay calm, and serve well at the important moments. That was the key.”
Sinner now stands four wins away from becoming the first man to win five Masters titles in succession,
He improved this season to 26-2 and next plays the winner from Brit Cam Norrie or Thiago Agustin Tirante.
Carlos Alcaraz on Friday dramatically ended his clay season as the two-time defending champion withdrew from Roland Garros with a wrist injury.
The Spaniard who lost the Monte Carlo final this month and then injured his wrist 48 hours later in Barcelona, dropped his bombshell as his home Madrid Masters continued without him.
Alcaraz is also out of Rome and can expect to see his ranking possibly drop from world No. 2 with titles in both Italy and France to defend.
There is no word on when he might return to the courts.
Wimbledon alert for injured Alcaraz
Untouchable Sinner stretches Masters win streak
Heartbreak for tearful Swiatek as Pole quits match
-
ATP4 weeks agoEx-ATP Schwartzman calls for calendar re-think
-
ATP3 weeks agoSensible Stan rationing his wrapup tournaments
-
ATP4 weeks agoSunshine for Sinner in Miami
-
ATP2 weeks ago300th win sends Alcaraz into Monte Carlo final four
-
Miami Open4 weeks agoSabalenka sweeps to title doubles in US
-
ATP3 weeks ago
Sinner counts on IW hard yards paying off on clay
-
ATP3 weeks agoRetiring Goffin says goodbye to Monte Carlo
-
ATP3 weeks agoSinner slams Humbert but keeps expectations low