"You've got to beat the best and Jannik is the best": Sinner or Alcaraz? Alexander Zverev sees firm winner ahead of final showdown

Saturday, 02 May 2026 at 00:00

Alexander Zverev booked his place in the final of the Madrid Open with an impressive victory over Alexander Blockx, ending the young Belgian’s standout run in the Spanish capital.

Blockx had been one of the stories of the week with a series of eye-catching performances, but Zverev’s experience proved decisive as he “defused him” in what he described as possibly his best match of the tournament.

“Yeah, possibly,” Zverev said when asked if it was his strongest display of the week. “I think against Flavio Cobolli I also played a fantastic first set. In the second set it was a bit worse. But generally, I’m feeling well and I’m looking forward to the final.”

Zverev’s path to the final has been anything but straightforward. Alongside his win over Blockx, he has seen off Cobolli, Jakub Mensik, Terence Atmane and Mariano Navone, building momentum with each round.

Blockx's breakthrough

Reflecting on Blockx’s breakthrough week, Zverev was full of praise for the rising star and predicted a bright future ahead.

“I think it’s going to be a very tough match,” he said, before quickly adding his thoughts on Blockx. “He’s been playing amazing tennis. I don’t think it’s going to be the last time we see him in a semifinal of a Masters. He has a great career ahead of him.”

Alexander Blockx's time runs out

Awaiting Zverev in the final is world number one Jannik Sinner, a familiar rival in recent Masters 1000 events. Despite being a two-time champion in Madrid, Zverev is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. “I don’t know,” he said when asked whether his past success in Madrid would be a factor. “It seems like he’s been winning everywhere, so I don’t know if that makes any difference. I will definitely go out there and try my absolute best.”

Zverev did, however, take encouragement from his current form compared to earlier in the clay season. “I feel like I’m playing a bit better than I was in Monaco, so I’m definitely going to give myself some chances.”

Ultimately, the German knows exactly what it will take if he is to lift another title in Madrid. “To win the biggest tournaments in the world, you’ve got to beat the best,” he said. “And Jannik is the best right now.”

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.

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