Rome, May 10: Alexander Zverev continued his winning streak at the Italian Open. On Sunday, he defeated Belgium’s Alexander Blockx with a score of 6-1, 6-4, advancing to the fourth round of the Masters 1000 event.
This marks Zverev’s second victory over Blockx in a month. Previously, he had also beaten the 21-year-old in straight sets during the semifinals of the 2026 Madrid Open. Playing on the breezy courts of Foro Italico, the German player maintained his composure and delivered an impressive performance, controlling most baseline exchanges to secure victory in just 74 minutes.
Zverev stated, “I played much better than two days ago. I think it was tough to play good tennis from the baseline today because the conditions were not easy; it was very windy. However, overall, I am extremely happy with my performance.”
The two-time Rome champion displayed excellent form from the outset, dominating the first set. Zverev executed numerous unreturnable shots while minimizing his unforced errors, making it difficult for Blockx to find his rhythm early on.
The Belgian attempted to mount a comeback in the second set, playing aggressively. However, Zverev responded brilliantly under pressure, showcasing precise hitting from the center of the court and reducing angles effectively. A highlight of the match came midway through the second set when Zverev executed a delicate drop volley to hold serve at a crucial moment.
In Rome, Zverev maintained his impressive record, marking his 29th win at this venue. He is still in search of his first title of 2026. His next match will be against either Tommy Paul from the USA or Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud upheld his undefeated head-to-head record against Jiri Lehecka, winning decisively with a score of 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the next round. The Norwegian player, who has reached the semifinals in Rome three times, will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Francisco Cerundolo next.
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