Top two seeds Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev reach Madrid Open final
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Italy's Jannik Sinner claimed his 27th win at Masters 1000 level.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID – Alexander Zverev has claimed that tennis is “very, very easy” for world No. 1 Jannik Sinner right now, as the third-ranked German looked ahead to their Madrid Open final on May 3.
On May 1, Sinner downed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the title decider, before second seed Zverev dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to book a date with the Italian.
Sinner, 24, won his 22nd straight match and will aim to clinch a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.
With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, he is firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.
“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said the 29-year-old Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021.
“There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles... and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.
“Tennis is very, very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him. He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”
Sinner admitted that he was feeling a little tired after playing so many matches of late, which could be an advantage for Zverev.
“I played at a very high level, but I focus on always raising my level a little,” he said after his semi-final win over 21-year-old Frenchman Fils.
“Especially when the tournament gets serious... You have to raise your level if you want to keep going. Obviously there’s a bit of fatigue.
“Mentally I feel good, but there is some physical tiredness. My body isn’t completely fresh, but that’s normal and I think it’s a very positive thing for me because it means I’m playing a lot of matches.
“Of course, on Sunday we’ll try to do even better but whatever happens, I’ve reached another final in a very important tournament.”
Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible feat and the four-time Grand Slam winner was too strong against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has himself impressed since returning from injury in February.
Zverev is also in good form after a string of semi-final defeats this season.
When asked what he felt about Sinner going for five-in-a-row Masters titles, he added: “I don’t think so (there is pressure) because if you’re world No. 1, you have pressure every single week. I think he’s used to it.” AFP, REUTERS
