Alexander Zverev reached the Madrid Open final with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Alexander Blockx.
The 29-year-old delivered another high-quality performance to qualify for the Madrid Open final, where he will meet the world number one, Jannik Sinner.
Sinner will enter the match as a heavy favourite, but if Zverev plays as well as he did in the semis, the Italian could be in for a surprise.
Who will win the men’s Madrid Open final?
During Sky Sports’ post-match coverage, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli delivered her verdict on Zverev’s semi-final win.
Marion Bartoli ‘really liked’ Alexander Zverev’s forehand during his semi-final win
Bartoli first explained how the conditions suited Zverev’s game.
“For me, yesterday he mentioned the fact that the conditions were cooler, and therefore it was tougher for him to hit the ball through the court in the second set,” she said.
“I felt today, because the temperature throughout the day was higher, he didn’t drop in terms of power from the back of the court.
“Just [Alexander] Blockx was able to find aces when he needed to, to find some really good serves, to just try to get himself into a tiebreak, but then that last service game at 5-5 from the Belgian player, up 40-0, Sascha Zverev refusing to give that game away.
“It’s easy to say, I’m 40-0 down, I haven’t broken him, I’m holding my serve comfortably, let me just go to a tiebreaker, and I’ll get him in a tiebreak.
“Those top players just don’t give you a single inch.
“He clawed himself back into the game, got the break, and then finished it off.
“Absolutely an anomaly to not see him play a final so far this year, and I’m really pleased for him to be back into a final and facing the toughest opponent you can possibly face now, which is Jannik Sinner.
Official ATP Top 10
| Rank | Name | Country | Points | Finals played (2026) | Titles won (2026) |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 13,350 | 3 (Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters) | 3 (Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters) |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 12,960 | 3 (Australian Open, Qatar Open, Monte Carlo Masters) | 2 (Australian Open, Qatar Open) |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 5,255 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4,710 | 1 (Australian Open) | 0 |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Canada | 4,100 | 2 (Open Occitanie, Rotterdam Open) | 1 (Open Occitanie) |
| 6 | Ben Shelton | USA | 4,070 | 2 (Dallas Open, Munich Open) | 2 (Dallas Open, Munich Open) |
| 7 | Taylor Fritz | USA | 3,870 | 1 (Dallas Open) | 0 |
| 8 | Alex de Minaur | Australia | 3,845 | 1 (Rotterdam Open) | 1 (Rotterdam Open) |
| 9 | Lorenzo Musetti | Italy | 3,715 | 1 (Hong Kong Open) | 0 |
| 10 | Daniil Medvedev | Russia | 3,560 | 3 (Brisbane International, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells) | 2 (Brisbane International, Dubai Tennis Championships) |
“But we are in for an absolute treat on Sunday, something not to miss for anything in the world.”
Bartoli was particularly impressed with Zverev’s forehand during his Madrid Open semi-final win.
“He came 21 times to the net, which is a lot,” she said,
“At the beginning of the first set, Blockx gave him the possibility to be so aggressive, because he was just giving him so much court to work with, because of the court position of the Belgian player, which was so far behind the baseline, Zverev was constantly on top of it, hitting through the ball beautifully.
“What I really liked about this match because we know the backhand is always going to be there, the forehand really worked extremely well today, especially that heavy forehand cross-court.
“When he can generate a lot of racket head speed, it’s not a flat shot; it’s a heavy topspin clay-court shot. That is why he is a two-time champion.
“He likes the conditions, it gives him a bit more time, the ball is bouncing a bit higher, and he can really unleash the power from the back of the court on the forehand side, and follow that to the net, which he did 21 times today, which is a lot for him in a two-set match.”
Marion Bartoli makes Alexander Blockx prediction after watching him lose to Alexander Zverev
Bartoli waxed lyrical about Zverev’s performance, but was also keen to praise his Belgian opponent.
“What I really liked is the fact that he constantly tried new things, came up with different tactics, was moving the serve around the box a lot more in the second set, which is why he got some break point opportunities,” she said.
“To be able to bring a different level shows the margin of improvement he has still in his game, and that’s always a great sign.
“Obviously, the physicality of the match was really taking a toll towards the end of that second set, but everyone enjoyed the atmosphere tonight, what he brought on the court, and I’m sure we will see a lot more from him in the future.”
Blockx will be ranked inside the world’s top 40 on Monday, one place behind another exciting youngster, Rafael Jodar.
The Belgian is scheduled to return to action at next week’s Italian Open.
