Alexander Zverev, the third seed, won the first set 6-4 against Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 32 at the ATP Beijing Open on Friday (26) in Beijing, China. The 28-year-old German faces the 30-year-old Italian on an outdoor hard court under 21-degree Celsius weather. The match is in the second set, with Zverev leading 5-1 after confirmed breaks.
The clash takes place at the Capital Group Diamond Court, with a total prize pool of $3,633,875. Zverev seeks recovery after recent Laver Cup losses, while Sonego comes off a mixed Asian campaign. Analysts favor the German, who aims to maintain his top 3 ATP ranking.
- Zverev recorded 3 aces and 87% first-serve points;
- Sonego committed 1 double fault and converted 0 of 3 break points in the first set;
- The German won 10 consecutive games by the end of the first set.
The duel draws attention due to the players’ head-to-head history.
Head-to-head favors the German
Alexander Zverev leads 5-0 against Lorenzo Sonego over eight years of matchups. Their last meeting was in June 2025 at ATP Halle, with Zverev winning 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2).
Sonego has never beaten Zverev on any surface, including two hard-court losses. Zverev capitalizes on long rallies and his serve.
The Italian aims to surprise with aggressive baseline play but struggles against Zverev’s firepower.
Zverev’s recent performance in 2025
Alexander Zverev has 45 wins and 19 losses in 2025, with a 21-7 record on hard courts. The German won a title in Munich and reached the semifinals in Cincinnati.
At the Laver Cup, he lost to Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur in straight sets. At the US Open, he fell in the round of 16 to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
In Beijing, Zverev reached the semifinals three times in recent years. He aims for the title to boost his season’s final stretch.
Sonego seeks consistency in 202 US Open, he lost in the round of 16 to Tristan Schoolkate in five sets. In Winston-Salem, he fell to Jaume Munar in the quarterfinals.
Sonego has never advanced past the first round in Beijing, with losses in 2023 and 2024. He relies on a strong first serve to balance the match.
First set stats highlight dominance
Zverev converted 2 of 4 break points in the first set, while Sonego missed his chances. The German won 56 total points against Sonego’s 35.
In serving, Zverev landed 64% of first serves and won 82% of those points. Sonego had 59% first-serve success.
The Italian hit 2 aces but lost 36 service points. Zverev broke his opponent’s serve twice.
Second set progresses with key breaks
In the second set, Zverev broke Sonego’s serve in two crucial games, leading 1-0, 1-2, and 1-3. The German held his serves with authority.
Sonego committed a double fault at a critical moment, allowing a break at 1-3. Zverev reached 1-5 after another break.
The Italian fights to regain momentum, facing 15-40 on a break point in the current game. The local crowd follows the tense duel.
Zverev has 29 consecutive points in sequences, pressuring his opponent.
Strategies on Asian hard courts shape the match
Zverev employs a solid baseline game to counter Sonego’s attacks. The German uses a heavy forehand to create angles on the court.
Sonego relies on slices and net approaches to vary play. However, he errs in transitions, conceding easy points.
Beijing’s slower court conditions favor longer rallies. Zverev adapts better to the surface, with 80% second-serve points.
The match continues, with focus on the next points of the second set.
