Disturbed by a cold upon his arrival in Italy, the protégé of Juan Carlos Ferrero is nevertheless, like Wednesday during his success against Andrey Rublev, managed to change the situation, although beaten in two sets 7-6 (7/5 ), 6-4 by a very solid Zverev. Two sets to nothing, an unfortunate scenario which no longer left him any hope of qualifying.
“We knew that it would take Alcaraz at 100% to beat a Zverev filled with such rage.”emphasized on Eurosport our former champion Justine Henin. Without taking anything away, obviously, from the exceptional career of the current world second: three matches won by two sets in as many matches. Already winner of the Masters 1000 in Paris, the 27-year-old signed his eighth consecutive victory on Friday afternoon.
On the way to Malaga
The Spaniard will have, despite the conditions, shown that he will have to be counted on on Tuesday, in Malaga, during a Davis Cup Final 8 where he will meet a certain Rafael Nadal. “I will do everything to help the team win, Alcaraz said after his defeat. For me of course but, more importantly, for Rafa. I really want to help him get a title. It will certainly be very, very emotional, and extremely special to me.”
Zverev, who also gained the upper hand over Alcaraz in direct confrontations (6 to 5), therefore secured first place in his group. He will meet the American Fritz this Saturday in the semi-final and avoids a duel against the Italian Sinner, which is rather a good thing in these times given the level displayed by the world No. 1.
Winner of Andrey Rublev, it is the nice surprise of these Masters, Casper Ruud, who is entrusted with the difficult task of facing Jannik Sinner to try to get a ticket for the grand final. The Norwegian was guaranteed to reach the last four if he pocketed at least a set against Rublev, a mission accomplished.
