Alexander Zverev has continued his fine form during this clay-court season, having surgically dismantled Alexander Blockx earlier today.
It was a truly professional performance from the 28-year-old, who has moved one step closer to yet another Masters 1000 final, where Jannik Sinner will surely await.
His inability to beat the world number one is causing him real discomfort at the moment, as it’s preventing him from adding a handful of extra elite honours to his trophy cabinet.
If he wants to start claiming titles again, he needs to figure out a way to unsettle Sinner properly.
Especially with the opportunity that has emerged since Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Roland Garros with injury.
Alexander Zverev names the players who could challenge for the Italian Open title
Speaking at his press conference after today’s win, Alexander Zverev was asked to name who he thought was the biggest threat to him claiming the Italian Open title.
Aside from naming Sinner, he instead replied: “There’s young guys who are playing great tennis. Prizmic is definitely one of them that is playing great tennis. There are the guys that we know about. It will be very interesting between Musetti and Cerundolo, two very good players on the clay court.
Could the Italian Open be the tournament where Alexander Zverev finally beats Jannik Sinner?
“I’m going to go match by match. That’s the most important thing, not to look too far ahead, focus on the things that you can control.
“Last week Blockx was in the semifinals. He beat everybody. He bet Casper Ruud, Felix, all the favourites to go to the semifinal. In tennis you never know. Each week is different. I just focus on the opponents that are in front of me.”
The next question then referenced Carlos Alcaraz’s injury, and Zverev explained how it actually impacts Sinner more than anyone else.
He added: “I mean, I think the biggest difference is probably makes for Jannik because he’s now really, really the heavy favorite. Carlos on a clay court when he’s healthy, equal or even above Jannik in favoritism just purely on a clay court, especially at Roland Garros, being a two-time champion there already.
| Year | Event | Round | Winner |
| 2026 | Madrid Open | Final | Jannik Sinner |
| 2026 | Monte Carlo | Semi-finals | Jannik Sinner |
| 2026 | Miami Open | Semi-finals | Jannik Sinner |
| 2026 | Indian Wells | Semi-finals | Jannik Sinner |
| 2025 | ATP Finals | Round Robin | Jannik Sinner |
‘But for me, I got to focus on the things that I can control and try to improve again to try to beat Jannik. That’s the important thing.
“Getting there is also important, right? You can’t talk about someone you might face in the finals before winning the first six matches.
“For me again, it’s about focusing on the opponents in front of me at the moment.”
Alexander Zverev shines vs Alexander Blockx despite being sick
Despite having been ill during his first match, which clearly carried over into today’s clash with Blockx, Zverev performed admirably.
In fact, in the first set in particular, he blew the young Belgian away, with a brand of tennis that would surely be enough to at least trouble Sinner.
When does Jannik Sinner next lose a tennis match? 👀
He was aggressive and came into the net often, which was clearly a profitable tactic considering he won 75% of the points when he did come in.
It takes something truly special to unsettle the world number one, and of late, Zverev has failed to produce it.
But, what he did today, whilst feeling ill as well, should surely provide enough optimism to think that this could be the tournament where the German finally turns the tide on Sinner.
