Zverev Gets Revenge On Thiem, Will Face Berrettini For Madrid Masters Title

The US Open rematch went the way of Alexander Zverev who bested Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4 to reach his second Madrid Masters final.

Zverev, who just stunned Rafael Nadal yesterday, was able to break Thiem three times and hit 25 winners to pace the victory, his third over the Austrian.

“Been two great matches for me. I think today was a little bit of a weirder match because of the wind and the conditions,” Zverev said.

“They’re probably the two clay-courters that you think of right now when you’re thinking about Roland Garros and the biggest chances of winning. Obviously Rafa is the favorite no matter what. Probably Novak second, Dominic a close third.”

It was also their fourth meeting in a final. The two are now even at 2-apiece with Zverev also beating Thiem to win the 2018 Madrid title.

Zverev is into his 8th career Masters final and Madrid becomes the first he’s made twice. He’ll seek a 4th Masters title and 15th overall.

Thiem was still pleased with the result after the long layoff.

“It was just not enough against Sascha, who played well I think,” Thiem said. “I think if you, for example, look back on the last game, he served 227, 228. You cannot do too much. He was just the better player today. I 100% accept that.

“In general I’m super happy with the week. I would have never expected to be in the semifinals, to play in the semifinals a player like him. I cannot complain about anything.

“Just, of course, there are many things to improve for next week and then for the weeks after, as well. Just try to get to Rome, get some good practices in there, then hopefully play even better than here in Madrid.”

In the evening, Matteo Berrettini overpowered Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to win his eighth straight match. Ruud had not been broken all week but the powerful Berrettini lost just seven total points on serve and never faced a break point.

“I think my return today was really a high level,” said Berrettini. “We play each other already this is the fourth time, so I kind of know him like in the same way I think he knows me. I didn’t expect this performance. You step in the court and you say, Okay, I know I can return, but then you don’t know how well you’re going to do that.

“The key I think today was, like, putting pressure on his serve, first serve and second serve. I was always trying to get the momentum and attacking even his first serve. I know that he likes to have time, run around the forehand. I tried to do that. It work out pretty well. I’m happy for that.”

After a US Open semi, Berrettini is now into his first career Masters final.

“It’s definitely a really good feeling,” Berrettini said. “It’s different in a way. When you’re about to play, you’re just thinking that you’re playing a finals. Obviously I was in the semis in US Open. Everything is different.

“But it’s just a great feeling. Especially, like I said in the court, after the struggle after my injury, I think I work really hard. I’m maybe even more happy.”

Both Berrettini and Ruud were making their debut in Madrid this week.

Into his first Masters final, Berrettini is 2-1 down to Zverev but on clay they are 1-1 with both previous meetings in Rome.

“The times that we played each other in Rome, obviously they were different conditions, I remember in Shanghai I think the roof was closed, the court was very fast, and obviously in Rome it was different,” Berrettini said. “I remember there was one break each set. I guess he just served better than me and I got broken twice. That was it. That’s what I remember.

“Tomorrow I think it’s kind of the same. I saw him, he’s playing really good. He’s solid. He moves well. For his height, he’s really good. He serves well. I mean, he’s in the final. He beat Rafa and Dominic, probably the best players on clay. It’s going to be a challenge match, but I’m in the finals. I guess the best two guys are going to play each other.”

The winner becomes the fifth different champion in the last five Masters events.

“He’s been playing exceptionally well this week,” Zverev said of Berrettini. “I saw the end of last night where he won 11 games in a row. He was almost unplayable. He was hitting the ball so hard, serving extremely well. It’ll going to be difficult.”

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