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Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open final

The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.

Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.

However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.

Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.

The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.

Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.

The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner"> Madrid Open: Zverev beats Blockx to set up final against Sinner World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to set up a summit clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open on Friday.“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021. There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”ALSO READ | Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open finalThe 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.Published on May 02, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner
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Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open final

The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.

Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.

However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.

Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.

The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.

Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.

The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner">Madrid Open: Zverev beats Blockx to set up final against Sinner

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to set up a summit clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open on Friday.

“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021. There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.

“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.

“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”

ALSO READ | Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open final

The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.

Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.

However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.

Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.

The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.

Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.

The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5…

NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets

“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge"> Shelton defeats Italian Cobolli to lift Munich title, extends clay-court surge Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first time, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 in the final on Sunday.A year after finishing runner-up to Alexander Zverev, the World No. 6 secured the fifth ATP title of his career and his second of the season after Dallas.“I came out at a really high level and have done that before against him,” Shelton said. “The toughest thing is maintaining it as he raises his level. I managed to do that in the second set and played some great tennis.“I’m happy with my performance this week. I got better and better as the week went on, and I’m happy with the work my team and I put in.”Shelton, who won an ATP 250 clay-court title in Houston in 2024, also became the first American man since Andre Agassi at the Rome Masters in 2002 to win a title at a higher level on clay.ALSO READ: NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.Published on Apr 19, 2026 #Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge
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“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge">Shelton defeats Italian Cobolli to lift Munich title, extends clay-court surge

Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first time, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 in the final on Sunday.

A year after finishing runner-up to Alexander Zverev, the World No. 6 secured the fifth ATP title of his career and his second of the season after Dallas.

“I came out at a really high level and have done that before against him,” Shelton said. “The toughest thing is maintaining it as he raises his level. I managed to do that in the second set and played some great tennis.

“I’m happy with my performance this week. I got better and better as the week went on, and I’m happy with the work my team and I put in.”

Shelton, who won an ATP 250 clay-court title in Houston in 2024, also became the first American man since Andre Agassi at the Rome Masters in 2002 to win a title at a higher level on clay.

ALSO READ: NBA playoffs: LeBron James hits 19 points as Lakers beat Rockets

“I have big ambitions on clay,” Shelton added. “It is a surface I want to improve on each year. It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces.”

Cobolli, who had impressed in the semifinal with a win over Zverev, could not replicate that level in the final.

Shelton dominated the opening set, breaking in Cobolli’s first two service games. The Italian saved eight set points, six on his own serve, before conceding the set on the ninth.

The second set was more closely contested, with both players holding serve until 5-5. A double fault from Cobolli handed Shelton a crucial break, and the American served out the match in one hour and 31 minutes.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Shelton #defeats #Italian #Cobolli #lift #Munich #title #extends #claycourt #surge

Second seed Ben Shelton won the ATP 500 clay-court title in Munich for the first…

Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinal

Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal"> Munich Open 2026: Zverev fights past Cerundolo to reach semifinal Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo on Friday and book a spot in the semifinals of the Munich ATP tournament.The three-time Munich champion won 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 and will take on Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on Saturday for a place in the final.Zverev burst out of the blocks and served for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but appeared to suddenly lose his rhythm, winning just one more game as Cerundolo powered back to take the opening set.As the second set began, and with the support of the home crowd, the 28-year-old found his form as swiftly as he had lost it, bouncing back to win the final two sets while dropping just two games.“Even in the first set when I was up 4-1, he started playing unbelievable. He started returning unbelievable,” Zverev said.“My first-serve percentage was very high, and he started returning a foot in front of the baseline. So there was nothing I could do, to be honest,” he added.The German came into Friday’s match holding a 4-3 career advantage over the fifth-seeded Cerundolo but had never previously beaten the Argentine in three matches on clay.“Definitely happy to get the win today against Francisco, for the first time on clay,” Zverev said on court after the win.ALSO READ | Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinalZverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.Published on Apr 17, 2026 #Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal
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Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal">Munich Open 2026: Zverev fights past Cerundolo to reach semifinal

Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo on Friday and book a spot in the semifinals of the Munich ATP tournament.

The three-time Munich champion won 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 and will take on Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on Saturday for a place in the final.

Zverev burst out of the blocks and served for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but appeared to suddenly lose his rhythm, winning just one more game as Cerundolo powered back to take the opening set.

As the second set began, and with the support of the home crowd, the 28-year-old found his form as swiftly as he had lost it, bouncing back to win the final two sets while dropping just two games.

“Even in the first set when I was up 4-1, he started playing unbelievable. He started returning unbelievable,” Zverev said.

“My first-serve percentage was very high, and he started returning a foot in front of the baseline. So there was nothing I could do, to be honest,” he added.

The German came into Friday’s match holding a 4-3 career advantage over the fifth-seeded Cerundolo but had never previously beaten the Argentine in three matches on clay.

“Definitely happy to get the win today against Francisco, for the first time on clay,” Zverev said on court after the win.

ALSO READ | Barcelona Open 2026: Musetti beats Moutet, to face Fils quarterfinal

Zverev, whose most recent title came in Munich a year ago, is chasing a record fourth triumph at the tournament, having also won in 2017 and 2018.

On the other side of the draw, American second seed Ben Shelton overcame Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to keep hopes of a 2025 Munich final rematch with Zverev alive.

Shelton, the world number six, won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and will take on either Denis Shapovalov or Alex Molcan in the semifinals.

The American has never won a clay court tournament, having lost in straight sets to Zverev in Munich a year ago. Earlier, Cobolli was the first to book a spot in the final four after he defeated Czech Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.

Playing on his favourite surface, the fourth seed won the opening set and cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second. He missed two match points on Kopriva’s serve before finishing it off in the following game.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#Munich #Open #Zverev #fights #Cerundolo #reach #semifinal

Top seed Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo…