ATP Tour

Zverev passes stern Altmaier test in Rome opener

Alexander Zverev overcame a series of early setbacks and a determined Daniel Altmaier on Friday in Rome, where the second seed made a winning start at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Following a rain delay of more than 90 minutes, Zverev battled to a 7-5, 6-3 victory to begin his bid for a third title at the Italian ATP Masters 1000 event. Zverev, champion in Rome in 2017 and 2024, was repeatedly pushed out of his comfort zone by Altmaier before eventually finding enough consistency and aggression to close out victory after one hour, 44 minutes.

“It was a difficult match for me physically. I don’t feel too well,” Zverev said after improving to 4-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Altmaier. “He played incredibly. I thought this was the best he — maybe — has ever played, especially against me. He’s quite a defensive player, so you need to be aggressive yourself. You need to control the rallies. I found a way and that’s the most important.”

Altmaier broke serve in both sets and made life uncomfortable throughout with his heavy groundstrokes and variety. Zverev failed to serve out the opening set at 5-3 before recovering, while the World No. 3 also suffered an early setback in the second set when he dropped serve in the third game after slipping to the court while changing direction to chase down a drop shot.

Despite those difficulties, Zverev responded strongly in the key moments. After regaining control in the second set, he steadied his level. Gradually, the German began taking greater risks off both wings, offsetting 23 unforced errors with 26 winners en route to tying Thomas Muster and Adriano Panatta (28) for the eighth-most men’s singles wins in Rome in the Open Era.

Zverev’s win comes just five days after his straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Madrid final, and the German remains on course for a potential rematch with the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings should both players reach the final. Before then, Zverev must first negotiate a third-round clash against rising Belgian Alexander Blockx, who he defeated in the Madrid semi-finals.

Elsewhere in the bottom half of the draw, Casper Ruud and Jiri Lehecka both advanced on Friday and are set to meet for the first time since 2023 in the third round. Three-time Rome semi-finalist Ruud defeated Zachary Svajda 6-1, 6-3, while 11th seed Lehecka overcame Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(4), 6-3.