Alexander Zverev did not play well in the spring of 2021. The German struggled with an injury and failed to deliver his best tennis in Miami, Monte Carlo and Munich. He experienced early losses and sought a better run in Madrid.
The 2018 champion competed at a high level in Caja Magica, beating three top-10 rivals since the quarter-final and lifting the fourth Masters 1000 crown at 24. At the winning ceremony, the German joked with the tournament director Feliciano Lopez, saying that Lopez did not want to talk to him once he defeated Rafael Nadal.
Zverev defeated Nadal twice in a row on an indoor court at the end of 2020. The German extended his streak in Madrid following a 6-4, 6-4 triumph, his first over Rafa on clay. The crowd’s favorite played miles from his best, staying at under ten winners and not going for riskier shots.
The German had a massive advantage in the shortest and mid-range rallies, firing almost 30 winners and taming his strokes nicely to reach his tenth Masters 1000 semi-final. Zverev seized three breaks and dropped serve once in the early stages, never looking back behind the initial shot in the remaining games.
They kicked off the encounter with five comfortable holds before Nadal scored a break at love at 3-2 following Zverev’s double fault.
Alexander Zverev defeated Rafael Nadal in Madrid last year.
With no sign of nerves, Alexander broke back in the next game after forcing Rafa’s error at the net.
He saved a break chance in game eight for 4-4 and a boost. The German grabbed the second straight return game and closed the opener with an ace for 6-4. Nadal got broken at 2-2 in set number two following Zverev’s forehand down the line winner and could have fallen 5-2 behind.
The Spaniard saved two break points in game seven to show his fighting spirit. However, he remained powerless on the return. Alexander held at 15 in game ten to seal the deal and celebrate his third straight victory over Rafa.
“Thank you, Feliciano. After I beat Rafa, you did not say a word to me for some reason. I do not know why, but I think this would change after the final. I think both of you are doing an incredible job. Thank you guys for putting up this event and the Madrid government for allowing us to come here and make us feel so special,” Alexander Zverev said.
