PREVIEW | ATP Madrid Open 2025 - Day 3: Zverev, Medvedev and Rune look to advance at the Caja Mágica
ATP
The Mutua Madrid Open 2025 continues its course in the Spanish capital with a day that promises intense emotions. Day 3 of the second Masters 1000 on the European clay-court tour brings interesting duels, with last week's champions Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune jumping into action. Daniil Medvedev also starts his journey in the Caja Mágica.
The Madrid Masters is warming up with another day of tennis on the way. This Friday, April 25, the tournament's biggest stars will be hitting the court. After the bitter news for the home crowd that their young star, Carlos Alcaraz, had to withdraw from the tournament, world number 2 Alexander Zverev has become the top contender for the title. The Munich champion starts his presentation against Laslo Djere.
Holger Rune, newly crowned champion in Barcelona, is another strong contender for the title. The Dane is up against Italian Flavio Cobolli.
Here we review the most interesting duels of the third day of tennis in the Caja Mágica.
Daniil Medvedev - Laslo Djere: Russian goes for the comeback
The number 10 in the ranking, Daniil Medvedev, will try to stop the bleeding in this campaign, since with the exception of Indian Wells, where he reached the semifinals of the tournament, in the other tournaments he participated, including the Australian Open, he could not get past the first or second round.
The run of poor results sent Daniil to the bottom of the top 10, and with so many good players lurking, he could continue to fall. It's time to turn the corner and regain confidence for the former world No. 1.
Facing him will be the Serbian Laslo Djere, a specialist on this surface who has collected good results in the campaign, reaching the semifinals in Buenos Aires and the title at the Chile Open.
They met on two previous occasions, both with wins for the Russian, in 2023 on the grass of Halle, and in 2022, on the clay of Roland Garros.
The winner of this match will play against the winner of the match between Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and No. 18 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Match Info:
Daniil Medvedev - Laslo Djere
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 12:10 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 6:10 PM
Court: Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Medvedev | Djere | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 2 | 1 |
| Win Streak | 2 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 10 | 71 |
| Race Ranking | 20 | 46 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 11 (-1) | 62 (+9) |
| Live Race Ranking | 20 | 44 (+2) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 29 (11 Feb 1996) | 29 (2 Jun 1995) |
| Birthplace | Moscow, Russia | Senta, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
| Residence | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Senta, Serbia |
| Height | 6'5" (198cm) | 6'2" (188cm) |
| Weight | 183lbs (83kg) | 181lbs (82kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed,(two handed-backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2014 | 2013 |
| Coach | Gilles Cervara | Mario Tudor (2025–) |
| YTD W/L | 13-7 (65%) | 17-6 (74%) |
| YTD Titles | - | 1 |
| Career Titles | 20 | 3 |
| Prize Money | US $45,970,918 - 6th all-time in earnings | US $6,081,663 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
D Medvedev d L Djere ATP Halle - Round of 166-3 | 6-7 | 6-3 21 Jun 2023 |
||
|
D Medvedev d L Djere French Open - Round of 646-3 | 6-4 | 6-3 26 May 2022 |
||
|
L Djere d D Medvedev ATP Budapest - Round of 326-0 | 5-5 24 Apr 2017 |
||
Alexander Zverev - Roberto Bautista Agut: The German comes in top form
The No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev arrives in the Spanish capital in high spirits after winning his third title at the BMW Munich Open on his birthday. The 28-year-old defeated Ben Shelton in the final to win his first title of the year, and he is looking to continue that momentum in Madrid.
His opponent will be the local credit, Roberto Bautista Agut, against whom he has a clear dominance in the head-to-head, 5-2 in favor of the Bavarian. Sascha also defeated Bautista the last 5 times they met, which means that he has 5 consecutive wins against his Spanish counterpart.
The winner of this key will play in the third round against the winner of the match between Davidovich and the Portuguese Nuno Borges.
Match Info:
Alexander Zverev - Roberto Bautista Agut
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 1:20 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 7:20 PM
Court: Manolo Santana Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Zverev | Bautista Agut | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 5 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 5 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 2 | 55 |
| Race Ranking | 2 | 143 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 2 | 55 |
| Live Race Ranking | 2 | 126 (+17) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 28 (20 Apr 1997) | 37 (14 Apr 1988) |
| Birthplace | Hamburg, Germany | Castellón de la Plana, Spain |
| Residence | Hamburg | Castellón de la Plana, Spain |
| Height | 6'5" (198cm) | 6'0" (183cm) |
| Weight | 198lbs (90kg) | 165lbs (75kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 | 2005 |
| Coach | Alexander Zverev Sr. | Félix Mantilla,, Daniel Gimeno Traver (2022–), Pepe Vendrell (2011–2021, 2023–) |
| YTD W/L | 16-7 (70%) | 4-10 (29%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | - |
| Career Titles | 24 | 12 |
| Prize Money | US $52,576,284 - 5th all-time in earnings | US $18,623,591 - 37th all-time leader in earnings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Zverev d R Bautista Agut ATP Monte Carlo - Round of 326-4 | 6-4 12 Apr 2023 |
||
|
A Zverev d R Bautista Agut ATP Basel - Quarterfinal7-5 | 6-3 26 Oct 2018 |
||
|
A Zverev d R Bautista Agut ATP Beijing - Round of 326-4 | 6-4 2 Oct 2018 |
||
|
A Zverev d R Bautista Agut ATP Halle - Quarterfinal6-7 | 7-6 | 6-1 23 Jun 2017 |
||
|
A Zverev d R Bautista Agut ATP Munich - Semifinal7-5 | 7-5 6 May 2017 |
||
|
R Bautista Agut d A Zverev ATP Rotterdam - Round of 326-4 | 6-1 9 Feb 2015 |
||
|
R Bautista Agut d A Zverev ATP Hamburg - Round of 646-3 | 6-2 15 Jul 2013 |
||
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - Nuno Borges
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will have a good opportunity to advance in the Madrid draw against the Portuguese Nuno Borges. The player from Malaga, who has been showing a great level in this 2025 being the best Spanish player after Carlos Alcaraz, will try to take advantage of the court factor to get a victory and advance in the second Masters 1000 of the season.
Davidovich on clay has a more than respectable record so far this season, with top marks in Mexico, reaching the final in Acapulco, and making the top four in Monte Carlo.
Against Nuno Borges the record is surprisingly in favor of the luzo, 1 -0. Their only confrontation took place in 2024, at the Australian Open. On that occasion Borges won in straight sets, but this Davidovich is different and on clay he has all the chances to win.
Match Info:
Nuno Borges - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 3:40 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 25 Apr, 9:40 PM
Court: Stadium 3
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Borges | Davidovich Fokina | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 1 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 41 | 29 |
| Race Ranking | 36 | 10 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 39 (+2) | 27 (+2) |
| Live Race Ranking | 33 (+3) | 10 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 28 (19 Feb 1997) | 25 (5 Jun 1999) |
| Birthplace | - | Rincón de la Victoria, Spain |
| Residence | - | Fuengirola, Spain |
| Height | 6'0" (185cm) | 5'10" (180cm) |
| Weight | 165lbs (75kg) | 176lbs (80kg) |
| Plays | Right | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | - | 2019 |
| Coach | - | Félix Mantilla, David Sánchez, Fernando Verdasco (2024), |
| YTD W/L | 15-12 (56%) | 19-9 (68%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | - | 0 |
| Prize Money | - | US $8,070,590 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
N Borges d A Davidovich Fokina Australian Open - Round of 647-6 | 6-3 | 6-3 18 Jan 2024 |
||
Gael Monfils - Andrey Rublev
One of the most attractive clashes of the day will be between the veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils and the defending champion Andrey Rublev. The duel promises to be an interesting clash of styles between the creativity and athleticism of Monfils and the power and aggressiveness of the Russian.
Rublev arrives in Madrid with an important novelty in his team, the incorporation of Marat Safin as coach. The compatriots have been working together for a month, so it will be a good opportunity to see something of the coach's hand in the game of the number 8.
Monfils, at 38, does not get as many flashes as Novak Djokovic, although he has been having a sensational season, with a 15-6 record, winning the title in Auckland. It is a great opportunity to see in action one of the most electrifying tennis players on the circuit, considering that his retirement is getting closer and closer;
Between them, they have played 4 matches, with Rublev holding a 3-1 lead. Their last meeting was just 3 weeks ago, in the second round of Monte Carlo, with the Russian pulling off a solid 6-4, 7-6 victory.
Match Info:
Gael Monfils - Andrey Rublev
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 8:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 26 Apr, 2:00 AM
Court: Manolo Santana Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Monfils | Rublev | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 1 | 3 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 3 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 42 | 8 |
| Race Ranking | 29 | 22 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 42 | 17 (-9) |
| Live Race Ranking | 29 | 22 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 38 (1 Sep 1986) | 27 (20 Oct 1997) |
| Birthplace | Paris, France | Moscow, Russia |
| Residence | Geneva, Switzerland | Moscow, Russia |
| Height | 6'3" (193cm) | 6'2" (188cm) |
| Weight | 187lbs (85kg) | 154lbs (70kg) |
| Plays | Right handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2004 | 2014 |
| Coach | Mikael Tillström (2016–2018, 2023–), Thierry Champion (2004–2006), Tarik Benhabiles (2007–2008), Roger Rasheed (2008–2011), Patrick Chamagne (2011–2013), Jan de Witt (2015), Liam Smith (2019–2020),, Richard Ruckelshausen (2021–2023), Günter Bresnik (2021–2023) | Marat Safin (Apr 2025-),, Alberto Martín |
| YTD W/L | 14-5 (74%) | 10-9 (53%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | 1 |
| Career Titles | 13 | 17 |
| Prize Money | US $23,681,813 - 23rd all-time in earnings | US$28,278,104 - 18th all-time in earnings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Rublev d G Monfils ATP Monte Carlo - Round of 326-4 | 7-6 9 Apr 2025 |
||
|
A Rublev d G Monfils US Open - Round of 646-4 | 6-3 | 3-6 | 6-1 31 Aug 2023 |
||
|
A Rublev d G Monfils ATP Cincinnati - Round of 167-6 | 7-6 19 Aug 2021 |
||
|
G Monfils d A Rublev ATP Doha - Final6-2 | 6-3 6 Jan 2018 |
||
Holger Rune - Flavio Cobolli: The Barcelona champion takes to the court
Holger Rune arrives in Madrid with high morale after his recent victory at the Barcelona Open. The young Dane, who has shown a great level on clay during the last seasons, will play against the Italian Flavio Cobolli with the intention to continue adding victories.
Rune, who rose to fame in 2022 when he reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, has proven that he can compete with the world's best on this surface. His aggressive tennis and winning mentality make him one of the most dangerous players on the circuit, especially on clay.
In 2025 he has been very consistent, with high points such as in Indian Wells, where he lost in the final to Jack Draper, and last week in Catalonia, defeating top seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Cobolli and Rune have met only once before, last year at Roland Garros. In the round of 64, the Dane took an epic victory in a dramatic match that went to a fifth-set tiebreak.
Match Info:
Flavio Cobolli - Holger Rune
Start time (local): Fri, 25 Apr, 8:10 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 26 Apr, 2:10 AM
Court: Arantxa Sanchez Stadium
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Cobolli | Rune | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 1 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 1 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 36 | 9 |
| Race Ranking | 53 | 7 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 34 (+2) | 8 (+1) |
| Live Race Ranking | 52 (+1) | 7 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 22 (6 May 2002) | 21 (29 Apr 2003) |
| Birthplace | Florence, Italy | Gentofte, Denmark |
| Residence | Rome, Italy | Monte Carlo, Monaco |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Stefano Cobolli | Kenneth Carlsen, Lars Christensen |
| YTD W/L | 7-10 (41%) | 16-6 (73%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | 1 |
| Career Titles | 1 | 5 |
| Prize Money | US $2,856,968 | US $12,571,028 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
H Rune d F Cobolli French Open - Round of 646-4 | 6-3 | 3-6 | 3-6 | 7-6 30 May 2024 |
||
The day promises great emotions in the Caja Mágica, where Madrid fans will be able to enjoy these and other interesting clashes in one of the most important tournaments of the clay court season.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.
mandoist14-11-2026 - I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
