Zverev loses against Sinner: nine defeats in a row

Sinner is “by far the best player currently,” said Zverev about his opponent, who was able to set another milestone in his career. The South Tyrolean is now the first male tennis professional to win five Masters 1000 tournaments in a row. Sinner, 24, also triumphed in Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells this year and previously in Paris in autumn 2025. The Masters is the second highest category in tennis after the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Zverev was not an equal opponent for Sinner in the final in Madrid, where he won in 2018 and 2021. He lost his first two service games and made some blatant mistakes. When Zverev won his first game 1:5, there was encouraging applause from the stands in the Manolo Santana Stadium. But Sinner remained unimpressed and after just 25 minutes he secured the first set.

Sinner is favorite again at the French Open

In the second round, Zverev initially held up a little better before Sinner set the rhythm again and made the final a one-sided affair. After just 57 minutes, the four-time Grand Slam tournament winner converted his first match point to win over the German number one. “Two worlds are meeting today,” said former tennis professional Patrik Kühnen on Sky.

Zverev was only the third male player to reach the final in Madrid for the fourth time. Previously, only the retired Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had achieved this, the Swiss, like Zverev, four times, Nadal even eight times. But the world number three was painfully denied winning the title. The manner of the defeat also raises questions about Zverev’s title chances at the French Open starting on May 24 in Paris, where Sinner is the clear favorite after defending champion Carlos Alcaraz from Spain withdrew due to injury.