Alexander Zverev ended his poor run of form at the Munich Open, where he defeated Ben Shelton to become champion.
Alexander Zverev continued his brilliant clay form at the Madrid Open, where he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut to reach the third round. The World No.2 had struggled to find form on the ATP Tour for several months before transitioning to clay, and he recently revealed the match that his season changed.
The German began the year very strong by reaching his maiden Australian Open final. But he failed to claim the Grand Slam title after losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner. After that, the Paris Masters champion struggled to play at his best, winning just six matches in six tournaments. Also, he failed to take advantage of Sinner’s suspension by winning titles and surpassing the Italian to become the World No.1.
However, it was at the BMW Open that Zverev’s season changed. He faced Tallon Griekspoor, who had beaten him in Indian Wells. He lost the first set in Munich but found a way to come back and claim the victory 6(6)-7, 7-6(3), 6-4. He went on to beat Ben Shelton in the final and claim his first title of the season.
After beating Roberto Bautista Agut in Madrid, he revealed that the win against Griekspoor was the turning point this season.
I was struggling the weeks before that, I really needed the win in Munich. I really needed the match against [Tallon] Griekspoor there, that was actually a bit of a turnaround point for me. Yeah, winning tournaments always gives you confidence, I needed that.
Alexander Zverev said via Madrid Open Press
Zverev is on a run of six consecutive wins on clay. His only loss on the surface was against Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters. He also recovered his No.2 spot from Carlos Alcaraz after losing in Monaco.
Alexander Zverev aims to win Grand Slam titles and become World No.1 in the future
Alexander Zverev has come close to winning a Grand Slam thrice in his career. Last year, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the French Open, while this season he was beaten by Jannik Sinner. However, he still believes he will win major titles in his career. During an interview, he revealed that he also wants to become World No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
I love tennis! I love playing it, I love training, I love the life we lead. Yes, there are some things I haven’t won yet. I really want to win a Grand Slam, I want to become number one in the world. But at the same time, I understand that the life that tennis has given me, nothing else would have given me. I look at everything from a positive point of view. Of course, by the end of my career, I want to win more than one Slam. But since it hasn’t happened, it means that in the future, maybe, it will.
Alexander Zverev said via Bolshe! Tennis
Zverev will hope to gain points in Madrid and defend the Italian Open to get closer to Sinner, who currently sits as World No.1. Sinner has a 1,845 points lead over the German in the ATP rankings.
Alexander Zverev faces a tough road ahead in Madrid after beating Roberto Bautista Agut
Alexander Zverev opened his Madrid campaign against Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round. The German produced a fine display, which was a continuation of his form at the Munich Open. He will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round, which is a very difficult test as Fokina has also been playing well this clay season.
However, if he does overcome the Spaniard, Zverev will face the winner between Francisco Cerundolo and Francisco Comesana in the fourth round. Zverev will hope he doesn’t face Cerundolo, as he lost to the Argentine at the stage last year. In fact, he lost to him again at the Argentina Open in February.
Nonetheless, a win over the 26-year-old will see a potential meeting between Zverev and Ben Shelton or Andrey Rublev. The World No.2 defeated Shelton in the Munich Open final, so would be a rematch in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.
