Zverev survives tough Rome opening test
Hope
Second seed Alexander Zverev made a winning start to his campaign at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday after defeating fellow German Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3 in Rome.
The match was delayed for more than 90 minutes because of rain, but Zverev recovered from several difficult moments to secure victory in one hour and 44 minutes. The World No. 3 is chasing a third title in Rome, having previously won the tournament in 2017 and 2024.
Altmaier pushed Zverev throughout the contest with aggressive groundstrokes and varied shot selection. He broke serve in both sets and forced the second seed to work hard for control of the match.
Zverev missed an opportunity to serve out the opening set at 5-3 before recovering to close it out 7-5. In the second set, he suffered another setback after slipping while chasing a drop shot, allowing Altmaier to break serve early.
Despite the pressure, Zverev responded strongly in key moments. The German gradually increased his attacking play from both wings and finished with 26 winners despite committing 23 unforced errors.
The victory also saw Zverev equal the Open Era Rome record of 28 men’s singles wins held by Thomas Muster and Adriano Panatta.
The result comes days after Zverev’s straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open final. Both players remain on course for another meeting should they reach the final in Rome.
Zverev will next face either 29th seed Tallon Griekspoor or rising Belgian Alexander Blockx in the third round.
Elsewhere in the draw, Casper Ruud and Jiri Lehecka advanced to the third round and are set to meet for the first time since 2023.
Ruud, a three-time Rome semi-finalist, defeated Zachary Svajda 6-1, 6-3, while 11th seed Lehecka beat Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(4), 6-3.
