Monte Carlo, Alexander Zverev clings to precedent with Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner comes to the confrontation with Alexander Zverev having won the last seven previous matches played on fast clay. Coming back from a more complicated passage in the round of 16 against Tomas Machac, the Italian then offered a solid test on clay as well, overcoming Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarters with a score of 6-3 6-4, thanks to a break per set and an orderly handling of the exchanges.
On the other hand, Zverev, current No. 3 in the ATP rankings, encountered some difficulties in the beginning of the tournament. In the opener against Cristian Garin, he was forced to come back from a complicated situation in the deciding set, while in the next round he needed three sets to get the better of Joao Fonseca, without being able to express continuity throughout the match.
Direct confrontations between the two have developed over time and on often important stages. The first intersection was at Roland Garros 2020, where Sinner won in the round of 16 in four sets. That same year Zverev took revenge in the semifinals in Cologne, and in 2021 he also confirmed his lead at the US Open, again in the round of 16. In 2022 came another victory for the German in Monte Carlo, at the end of a very balanced challenge.
In 2023 the two met again at the US Open, with Zverev winning in the fifth set. Since then, however, the balance has started to change: in 2024 Sinner prevailed in the Cincinnati semifinals, while in 2025 he won heavy successes such as the Australian Open final and the Vienna final, in addition to a clear win in the Paris semifinals and victory in the round robin of the ATP Finals.
In 2026, the trend continued as well, with the Italian’s successes in the Indian Wells and Miami semifinals, confirming a rivalry that has seen Sinner prevail more consistently in recent matches.
