Overview
- Alexander Zverev beat Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx 6:2, 7:5 to reach Sunday’s Madrid Masters final against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner after Friday’s straight-sets win.
- The victory broke a run of five semifinal losses this season and lifted him to 179 career wins on clay, moving past Philipp Kohlschreiber.
- His route included a 6:1, 6:4 payback over Flavio Cobolli after a late-night three-setter against Jakub Mensik that ended around 1:21 a.m.
- Blockx arrived as a breakout qualifier who upset defending champion Casper Ruud 6:4, 6:4 to make his first Masters semifinal.
- Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal made Zverev the No. 2 seed and set up a possible title meeting with Sinner, who beat Arthur Fils 6:2, 6:4 and has dominated the Masters events this year.