Alexander Zverev needed 1h44 to overcome compatriot Daniel Altmaier in Roma’s Masters 1000 debut. The German, seed number 2, won 7/5 and 6/3 this Friday, May 8th. The match on the central court was delayed for more than an hour due to rain.
The game marked Zverev’s tenth appearance in the Italian tournament. Ele now has 28 wins in the competition, a number that puts him tied with Thomas Muster and Adriano Panatta in eighth place on the list of biggest winners in Roma and Era Aberta.
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Espera due to the rain marks the start of the match
The confrontation started with a significant delay. The players waited more than 90 minutes before entering the court. Zverev, number 3 in the world, faced resistance from his compatriot, who occupied a lower position in the rankings.
Altmaier especially applied pressure in the first set. Ele returned a break as Zverev served to close the partial. The top seed reacted and managed another break in the 12th game to close at 7/5. The two tennis players alternated moments of aggression and solid defense throughout the rallies.
Zverev controls the second set after reaction
In the second set, Altmaier started ahead and served to take a 3/1 lead. Zverev returned the break immediately. The German saved three break points in the seventh game, came from 0-40 and broke his rival’s serve in the eighth. Ele confirmed his own serve in the ninth game and sealed the victory.
The number 3 in the ranking won 70% of the points on the first serve and took advantage of four of five break points. Altmaier registered a 61% success rate on his first serve and converted just two of eight break points. Zverev dominated the points receiving serves with a 56% success rate.
- Zverev hit 30 aces against his rival’s 3
- The German committed zero double faults
- Altmaier won 13 games in total compared to Zverev’s 13
- Zverev scored 67 points against the opponent’s 56
- The 2nd seed won nine service games
Declarações after the duel
Zverev acknowledged the difficulties. Ele stated that the match was physically tough and praised Altmaier’s performance, which he considered his rival’s best performance against him. The German highlighted the need for aggression against a defensive player and the importance of controlling long rallies.
The 29-year-old tennis player maintained his good debut record in Roma. Ele has only lost once in the first round, in 2019, to Matteo Berrettini. This Friday’s victory represents the 28th in his Foro Italico career.
Caminho in the third round
Zverev now waits for the winner of the duel between the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor and the Belgian Alexander Blockx. The German is looking to advance as far as possible in the tournament, where he has already won the title on two previous occasions.
This Friday’s match reinforced Zverev’s consistency on clay courts at the start of the European season. Ele reaches Roma after good recent performance in other events. The next appointment could take place this Friday or Saturday, depending on the schedule.
Estatísticas confirm superiority
The match numbers show relative balance in the first set and greater control from Zverev in the second. The German was more efficient in decisive points and exploited break opportunities better. Altmaier offered good resistance, but was unable to maintain the pace in the final moments of each set.
The victory keeps Zverev as one of the favorites to continue in the Italian Masters 1000. The tournament brings together the main names on the men’s clay court circuit before Roland Garros.