MADRID
Alexander Zverev has etched his name alongside tennis legends after a dominant performance at the Madrid Open. By defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4, the German star secured his place in the semi-finals and joined an elite group of players to achieve a rare feat.
Zverev is now only the fourth man in history to reach the semi-finals at the season’s first four Masters 1000 events. This achievement puts him in the same bracket as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Jannik Sinner. The victory was also a personal milestone, as Zverev now holds the record for the most clay-court wins by a German man in the Open Era, surpassing Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The match at the Manolo Santana Stadium lasted 90 minutes and showcased Zverev’s trademark consistency. He breezed through the first set and remained composed during a tense moment in the second. Serving for the match at 5-4, he faced two break points but stayed calm, firing massive serves to shut down the threat.
The world number three is a two-time champion in Madrid and looks nearly unstoppable on the red clay. He will next face 21-year-old rising star Alexander Blockx, who pulled off a massive upset by knocking out defending champion Casper Ruud. While Blockx is playing in his first-ever major semi-final, Zverev is hunting for his third Madrid title. With history on his side and “ice in his veins,” the German is now the clear favorite to lift the trophy.
