Alexander Zverev has begun his Italian Open title defence in fine form, winning his opening two matches without dropping a set.
The world number two was dominant in his Rome opener, when Zverev beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli, 6-2, 6-1.
Dropping just three games in his second round match, the German only dropped one more in his third, as Zverev took down Vilius Gaubas, 6-4, 6-0.
Advancing to the fourth round just as he did in Madrid, Zverev now reflects on his shock defeat in the Spanish capital.
The 28-year-old says he ‘hates’ playing the ATP Tour star who handed him his most recent loss.
Alexander Zverev says he ‘hates’ playing Francisco Cerundolo after losing to him in Madrid
Zverev lost to Francisco Cerundolo, 5-7, 3-6, at the Madrid Open, an opponent he now admits he ‘hates’ playing.
“I definitely need matches for sure. I won a tournament in Munich a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“I actually thought I played okay in Madrid, I lost to [Francisco] Cerundolo, who is kind of the opponent I hate to play the most, probably, outside of the top three or four guys, with Jannik [Sinner] and Carlos [Alcaraz] and all those.
“Let’s see how this week goes, I am looking forward to the rest of it. I am looking forward to hopefully playing some good matches, and then we will see where I end up.”
Zverev and Cerundolo have played each other three times in total, with the German yet to score a win against the Argentinian star.
2025 Madrid Open 4R – Francisco Cerundolo beat Alexander Zverev, 7-5, 6-3
2025 Argentina Open QF – Francisco Cerundolo beat Alexander Zverev, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
2024 Madrid Open 4R – Francisco Cerundolo beat Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 6-4
Luckily for Zverev, he has been placed in the opposite half of the Italian Open draw to Cerundolo, meaning a fourth career meeting between the pair won’t take place unless both players reach the final.
That’s not to say Zverev will have it easy in Rome, however, as he faces a tough test in his fourth-round match.