Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev, 6-1, 6-2, in this year’s Madrid Open final.
Zverev never looked like challenging for the win as he suffered his eighth consecutive defeat against the world number one.
What does Alexander Zverev have to do to change his results against Jannik Sinner?
After the match, Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, delivered his verdict on Zverev’s performance.
Brad Gilbert claims Alexander Zverev was ‘extremely predictable’ in the Madrid Open final
During the latest episode of ‘The Big T Podcast‘, Gilbert shared his thoughts on the 2026 Madrid Open men’s singles final.
“What [Jannik] Sinner does so well, which is hard to stop, is that he hits the ball really big to safe targets,” he said.
“Normally, [Alexander] Zverev can make progress backhand to backhand. But he can’t make progress backhand to backhand, and the forehand to forehand exchange is problematic.
“What I was most disappointed in Zverev today – my coach told me in 1980, if you lose that first set 6-1, do not lose the second set 6-1 playing the same way. I don’t care what you do, whether you come in on every ball or you literally start moon balling. Do something. Be unpredictable.
“I felt Zverev was extremely predictable from the first ball, and he was hoping not to get beaten badly.
“When you hope like that, that is what happens.”
Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Madrid Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2026 Monte Carlo Masters – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2026 Miami Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2026 Indian Wells – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2025 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2025 Paris Masters – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-0, 6-1 |
| 2025 Vienna Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2025 Australian Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2024 Cincinnati Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 |
| 2023 US Open – SF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 Monte Carlo Masters – QF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 |
| 2021 US Open – 4R | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2020 Cologne 2 – SF | Alexander Zverev | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2020 French Open – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 |
Gilbert continued, explaining what Zverev should have done in the Madrid Open final.
“He should have served and volleyed. He should have taken a backhand return and come in. He should have shown some emotion or busted a racket,” said Gilbert.
“He did not change plan A from the first set to the second set.
“That is what guys need to do now, when they are playing this guy, you need to take some risks.
“Pull out the [Robin] Soderling tape when he beat Rafa [Nadal] at the French [Open].
“You have got to do something different.
“You cannot be resigned to just letting him go downhill and play harder and aggressive and not have to change his game.”
Zverev will need to change something fast if he is to have any chance of beating Sinner again.
Jannik Sinner is Alexander Zverev’s biggest problem
The German has enjoyed a fine start to his 2026 campaign.
Zverev has reached the semi-finals or better at six of the seven tournaments he’s entered this year.
But he has yet to win his first title of the season, largely thanks to Sinner.
Alexander Zverev’s defeats (2026)
- 2026 United Cup RR [LOSS] vs Hubert Hurkacz
- 2026 Australian Open SF [LOSS] vs Carlos Alcaraz
- 2026 Mexican Open 2R [LOSS] vs Miomir Kecmanovic
- 2026 Indian Wells SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Miami Open SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Monte Carlo Masters SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner
- 2026 Munich Open SF [LOSS] vs Flavio Cobolli
- 2026 Madrid Open F [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner
His consistency has strengthened his position in the top five, but with Sinner beating him so often, there is little to no chance that Zverev will ever reach world number one or win a major title.
Official ATP Rankings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 14,350 |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 12,960 |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 5,805 |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4,700 |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Canada | 4,050 |
However, if Zverev can solve his Sinner problem, then perhaps he can start dreaming of bigger things.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the world number three.
Zverev will return to action in Rome at the Italian Open, where he will play either Zhang Zhizhen or Daniel Altmaier in the second round.
