Zverev resists Davidovich and grows in the history of clay | ATP Tour

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Zverev resists Davidovich and grows in the history of clay

The German seeks this week his third title in Madrid

April 27, 2025

Alexander Zverev keeps alive a firm candidacy in Mutua Madrid Open, where he walks with an authority without discussion this week. The German, the only former champion of the tournament that is still standing on the Magic Fund, was responsible for remembering his gallons with a remarkable effort in the first week of competition. If the two -week ATP Masters 1000 are a resistance test, Hamburg’s proven to be prepared to face the challenge.

No. 2 of the PIF ATP Rankings attacked a higher demand match, resisting 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0) one of the most intense clashes of the tournament against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the last Spanish representative on the clay of Madrid. With a mental strength tested from the first ball, the German managed to reach the victory without blinking, catching two unreal settings to be placed in the round of 16.

“In the first set I failed to make my best tennis, but this is sport and everything can change quickly,” said Zverev. “I was with set and disadvantage break, but I started fighting. I am very happy with this victory. Alejandro is doing incredible tennis, the best of his life. I’m glad to have overcome this round.”

Above all, the two -time champion has needed to cross a tournament start with the tier overturned in favor of his rivals. The German, who defeated a hard -effort Roberto Bautista Agut in his first game, returned to give up on the Spanish land without flinching for the environment at the Manolo Santana stadium, where he already raised the champion’s cup in the 2018 and 2021 editions.

“On this central track since I can do a very high level tennis, I always notice that I can do well. The conditions, the altitude, they fit perfectly in my style. I hope I can continue doing a good tennis. Today it has been a very complicated game, I did not play at my highest level, but my first encounter was good. I hope to find that way again and continue doing a great tennis.”

Zverev continues to grow in one of the most important whipped seasons of his career, a section of the calendar where Roland Garros running as a ranking. The German, who lifted the BMW Open By Bitpanda trophy in Munich last week, has chained seven consecutive victories on the surface and seeks to write a new legend story in Mutua Madrid Open.

Now, Zverev will need to continue accumulating clay merits before thinking about definitive rounds. The German will play the round of 16 at the Magic Fund before the winner of the Argentine duel who faces Francisco Cerú with Francisco Comesaña, two of the most cheered players these days at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid facilities.

For his part, Davidovich Fokina was one step away from adding a Top 10 victory for the third consecutive week. The Malaga had defeated No. 6 Jack Draper in Montecarlo and No. 8 Andrey Rublev in Barcelona with a sensational start in the European season of whipped earth. The next tournament in the Andalusian calendar will be the internali bnl d’Italia from next week.

For the first time in the history of Mutua Madrid, no Spanish player reached the round of 16 in the individual modality.

Did you know what …?
Alexander Zverev became the ninth active player with more games won in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments about clay (since the creation of the category in 1990). The German, who matched Thomas Muster and Carlos Moyà with 63 victories, follows the steps of Rafael Nadal (200), Novak Djokovic (137), Roger Federer (113), David Ferrer (80), Albert Costa (66) and Stan Wawrinka (64).