Zverev Better Than Berrettini, Wins 2nd Madrid Masters

Alexander Zverev capped his terrific run in Spain today rallying to beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 to collect his second Masters title in Madrid.

Zverev beat three Top 10 players in a row, stunning Rafael Nadal, then 2-time finalist Dominic Thiem before his third career win over Berrettini.

“I think it was a good week for me,” Zverev said. “Matteo today was extremely difficult for me in a way that I didn’t play anybody who serves 235, dominates the ball like he does. Against Rafa and Dominic, the matches were different.

“Coming back from a set down to win the title here, I’m extremely happy with that.”

Early on, it was a tight affair. The two powerful youngsters traded breaks but Zverev’s much-maligned serve got him into trouble in the breaker.

Berrettini was rolling on serve to start the second, but after missing break chances the tide turned at 4-all when a string of errors gave Zverev the break and the momentum.

Zverev got out of early danger then ran away in the third to his 15th career title and fourth at the Masters level.

“It’s extremely important,” Zverev said of his title. “I think the clay court season, also to do well at the French Open, you need to be playing well during the clay court season. That is in a way important for me, as well.

“At the end of the day I won a Masters. There’s really very little in terms of bigger than this one right here. I’m happy. I’m happy with this achievement. Obviously, yeah, I look forward to the next few weeks. I look forward to what’s ahead.”

Berrettini had won his last seven matches en route to his first Masters final where he was points away from the win.

“I had a breakpoint in the third,” Berrettini said. “I think he played really good. I returned a serve that was going 220 something. This is just tennis, you know.

“I really actually felt that in the first set, even though I was up a break, I wasn’t playing my best tennis. I was playing really good the beginning of the second and I couldn’t get the break. Nothing. In the third, it was a fight.

“No regrets at all. I left it all. I played good. I didn’t play unbelievable. I think also that it’s what he did to make me play like not my best tennis.”

Both players now head to Rome and will be among the favorites to go deep.

“This was my first final,” added Berrettini. “Hopefully it’s not going to be my last. But like I said before, I’m really happy on my level. Today unfortunately I think I didn’t play my best tennis. I have to say that he made me play not my best tennis. That’s why tennis is a tricky sport.”

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