Madrid Open ATP Semi-Finals Round-up | Top seeds Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev fend off youthful opponents to reach final in Madrid

The men took centre stage at the Madrid Open with just four players left fighting for the trophy. The top two seeds would be challenged by their young and exuberant opponents. In the end, it would be Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev who got the job done and confirmed a first final meeting at this level.

Both players were dominant in the first set, comfortably getting over the line and putting them in pole position for a spot in the final. However, they were pushed in the following set but proved to have the credentials and class to fend off Arthur Fils and Alexander Blockx respectively.

It is now five consecutive Masters 1000 finals reached for Sinner. The Italian won his 350th ATP Tour match in a fantastic 6-2, 6-4 win over Fils with his confirmation of a final spot in Madrid completing all the Masters 1000 events in a phenomenal achievement only the ‘Big Three’ have done.

More history is on the brink for Sinner in he can lift the title in the Spanish capital. There were no thoughts of that ahead of a titanic clash against one of the most inform players in the world. Both players had yet to lose on clay, Sinner winning in Monte-Carlo while Fils tasted success in Barcelona. One of those win-streaks had to be abolished, and inevitably it was Sinner who came out on top.

Fils started with a hard-fought hold, setting up the tempo of the match. He knew that he would need to battle and fight for every point and game in front of him. In the end, Sinner proved to be a step too far. The 24-year-old was rampant, showcasing an extraordinary level of tennis in the first set.

He won seven points in a row before going a break ahead. He backed that up with another clinical break of the Frenchman’s serve two games later. A fifth consecutive game left Fils in a spot of bother. He stopped the rut, but it was seemingly inevitable that Sinner would take a one set lead.

The second set proved to be more event, but the same result at the end. While the Sinner level did not stay at what it was in the first set, he still created chances. In the fifth game, two break points came and went as a pumped-up Fils attempted a stunning comeback.

However, a painful blow would be inflicted near the end of the match, leaving the writing on the wall for Fils. Sinner needed only one opportunity to break, and served out the match with no qualm to confirm a 13th Masters 1000 final.

In the last seven Masters 1000 tournaments, Zverev has lost at the semi-final stage six times. He has finally overcome those miseries as he makes the Madrid Open for a fourth time after defeating Blockx 6-2, 7-5.

His semi-final woes stem deeper than this tournament. In 2026, he has lost at this stage five times, including in all three Masters 1000 tournaments against Sinner. He would put up a very professional performance to fend off the tricky 21-year-old who had been a giant killer all week, but not today.

The danger signs were there early for Blockx. The Belgian had already won three consecutive matches against top 20 players – Felix Auger-Aliassime, Francisco Cerundolo and the reigning champion Casper Ruud to get to this round, but Zverev is a different kettle of fish.

The German broke with his first break point before being pushed on his own serve. Blockx closed within one game with a hold to love but consecutive deuces both went Zverev’s way, including another break of serve. A hold to love of Zverev’s own doing edged him within one game of the first set. Blockx was tough to crack. Three set points came and went in an elongated game, but the two-time champion had no issue getting it done on his own with his fifth ace.

It seemed that he would prolong his fine form. Zverev sailed into a 15-40 lead but was firmly held back by Blockx who refused to let his opponent have anymore joy on his own serve. He was forced to save another break point two games later with Zverev having dropped just one point on serve while this was all occurring.

The pressure ramped up as Blockx’s defence remained stubborn. Four more break points came and went for the 29-year-old with the score being level at 5-5. While leading 40-0, Blockx dropped five consecutive points, including the break point which unfortunately clipped the top of the net and harmlessly fell out of arm’s reach. Zverev completed the task at hand moments later to confirm a first Madrid Open final since 2022 and a 13th Masters 1000 final.