Alexander Zverev defeated Alexander Blockx, 6-2, 7-5, in the Madrid Open semi-finals.
The world number three outclassed his namesake to set up a Madrid Open final clash with Jannik Sinner.
Who will win the men’s Madrid Open final?
But how did Zverev secure the win against the impressive Belgian?
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Zverev explained the adjustments he made to defeat Blockx in straight sets.
Alexander Zverev says he changed his racket tension throughout his Madrid Open semi-final win
“I actually adjusted a little bit, I started with the same tension I did yesterday, and then I went down,” said Zverev.
“The later in the match it was, the more I went down in tension, simply because the sun went down, it got a bit cooler again, so I learned from yesterday, which I’m very happy about.
“The ball striking kept the same because I adjusted, I think.”
Zverev was also asked for his thoughts on his 9.5 performance rating.
“Was it? Alright, I felt good,” he said.
Alexander Zverev vs Alexander Blockx – Match stats
| Stats | Alexander Zverev | Alexander Blockx |
| Performance rating | 9.5 | 7.7 |
| Aces | 6 | 6 |
| Double faults | 2 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 77% | 60% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 85% | 72% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 80% | 34% |
| Break points | 3/14 | 0/0 |
“The second set was much closer, obviously, he started serving unbelievable.
“The break points, the way he saved them, was incredible.
“But I still felt mentally very good, because I had chances in almost every single service game of his. I knew that I was going to get a chance.
“I didn’t think I was going to break him from 40-0 down! But that’s tennis sometimes and I’m very happy to be in the final.
“Again, I felt very good on the court. I’m happy about this match and looking forward to playing the final on Sunday.”
Zverev will return for the final, searching for his eighth Masters 1000 title.
Alexander Zverev can move level with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz with Madrid Open win
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is by far the most successful active player at the Masters 1000 level.
Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are tied for second, one ahead of Zverev.
List of ‘active’ Masters 1000 winners
| Rank | Name | Masters 1000 titles | Last title |
| 1 | Novak Djokovic | 40 | 2023 Paris Masters |
| T-2 | Jannik Sinner | 8 | 2026 Monte Carlo Masters |
| T-2 | Carlos Alcaraz | 8 | 2025 Cincinnati Open |
| 4 | Alexander Zverev | 7 | 2024 Paris Masters |
| 5 | Daniil Medvedev | 6 | 2023 Italian Open |
If Zverev can upset Sinner in the Madrid Open final, he will move level with the world’s top two players on eight titles.
Zverev may feel he is long overdue for a Masters 1000 title, having last won at this level back in 2024.
The German has been remarkably consistent at Masters 1000 tournaments, but has struggled to get over the line.
Alexander Zverev’s last eight Masters 1000 results
- 2025 Italian Open – Lost in QF to Lorenzo Musetti
- 2025 Canadian Open – Lost in SF to Karen Khachanov
- 2025 Cincinnati Open – Lost in SF to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2025 Shanghai Masters – Lost in 3R to Arthur Rinderknech
- 2025 Paris Masters – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Indian Wells – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Miami Open – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Monte Carlo Masters – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
Zverev has lost four consecutive Masters 1000 semi-finals to Sinner.
He’ll have a chance to get one over on the Italian when they meet with the title on the line in Madrid.
Unfortunately for Zverev, Sinner has looked almost unbeatable this week, earning praise from former world number four, Caroline Garcia.
“Jannik’s level is insane,” Garcia said on X.
“Career Grand Slam in Roland Garros?”
Zverev will need to be at his very best if he is to stop Sinner in the Spanish capital.
It remains to be seen who will lift the title, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Zverev and Sinner will contest the 2026 Madrid Open final on Sunday, May 3.
