Matteo Arnaldi does Jannik Sinner no favors against Alexander Zverev

Arnaldi ko

There is no joy for the Italians in Mexico. After Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, who was beaten by Alexander Zverev, and Mattia Bellucci, who missed four match points against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, also exited at the debut.

Arnaldi played evenly with world No. 2 Zverev for two hours and 44 minutes. Despite a better performance on serve with the second and in response against the second, the Sanremese ended up surrendering 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4. 

The German, champion in Acapulco in 2021, has won nine out of 10 matches on hard court this season: he lost, however, the most important one, the Australian Open final against Jannik Sinner. Since the beginning of 2024, he has suffered only one defeat on his debut in 24 tournaments, just in Acapulco last year against compatriot Altmaier. In the same period, he has also won 23 of 24 matches played against opponents outside the Top 20 on hard court, losing only to then No. 66 David Goffin at the Shanghai Masters 1000 last October.

The newly 24-year-old Arnaldi, making his second appearance in an ATP 500 this season after quarters in Dallas, showed off some fine tennis and spectacular shots but it wasn't enough to sign his first career victory against a Top 3, his fourth against a Top 10.