After a false start and a lot of trouble about the HAWK Eye, Alexander Zverev fought himself in the round of 16 of the ATP master in Madrid.
The world ranking second from Hamburg prevailed against the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 2: 6, 7: 6 (7: 3), 7: 6 (7: 0) and thus celebrated its seventh success in a row. The tremor victory, in which Zverev rose with the referee, revealed how fragile Zverev’s game and psyche are still despite the title in Munich.
“That was a day with many ups and downs. He was outstanding in the first sentence, I played terribly “, said Zverev, who had lost the first ten points of the match: “I didn’t know what was happening, I kept everything, left, right, middle.”
He only converted his first match ball after 2:44 hours. This was preceded by a strangely stubborn start, anxious moments in the second set and a long discussion with referee Mohamed Lahjani. Zverev despaired the technology that saw a narrow ball from Davidovich Fokina on the line. He took his cell phone out of his pocket to photograph the impression, but it was as powerless as Lahjani.
Twice in the tiebreak
After all, Zverev did not lose his nerves, but got the sentence compensation on the court, where he had already won the title in 2018 and 2021 and which he describes as one of his favorite places. In the decisive round, Zverev continued to play hesitantly, but davidovich fokina broke to 5: 4. But he couldn’t get out, he gave his serve to zero and had to go back to the tie -break.
In Madrid, the 28-year-old wants to add the next top result after the redeeming title win of Munich. The field is open and rare, industry leader Jannik Sinner (Italy) is missing because of his doping lock, Carlos Alcaraz (Spain). Grand Slam record champion Novak Djokovic (Serbia) and defending champion Andrej Rublew (Russia) have been eliminated.
Revanche potential in the round of 16
However, it won’t be easier in Madrid. In the round of 16, Zverev meets Francisco Cerúndolo, who eliminated his Argentine compatriot Francisco Comesana with 6: 4, 6: 4 and has been the most successful player on this surface this season.
Against Cerúndolo, number 21 of the world rankings, Zverev has already lost three sets on Sand in Buenos Aires this year. A good opportunity for the revenge and to continue driving for the big season goal.
At the French Open in Paris (from May 25th), Zverev pays off the best chances of the long-awaited Grand Slam title. After Madrid, the Masters in Rome is still waiting on the way to Roland Garros.