Zverev bids for second Rome crown vs. first-time ATP Masters 1000 finalist Jarry

Alexander Zverev is hoping for another first on Sunday at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, one of his favourite tournaments. Having won his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown in Rome in 2017, he is now seeking his first title at that prestigious level since his catastrophic 2022 ankle injury.

"If Rome is the place for firsts for me, then I'm happy about that," said the German. "My first Masters 1000 as a 20-year-old was here. If this is my first Masters 1000 after the injury, I'm happy about that, as well. Especially at a place that I really love. Even outside of tennis, it's a city that I absolutely love and enjoy."

Zverev said he feels like an Italian thanks to the support of the Rome crowd, and he has dropped just one set en route to the final, to 29th seed Alejandro Tabilo in a 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 semi-final win. Everything seems to be lining up for the German, who would rise to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings with the title.

The final in Rome is SET 🙌@InteBNLdItalia | #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/3mVxvHmjZT

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 17, 2024

But Nicolas Jarry is seeking more firsts of his own at the Foro Italico. Already into his maiden Masters 1000 final, the first Chilean to reach a final at that level since Fernando Gonzalez in 2007 (also Rome), he will now play for his first title in the ATP Tour's premier tournament category. After upsetting resurgent Top 10 star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals and American Tommy Paul in the sems — both in three sets — Jarry will bid to join countryman Marcelo Rios as the second Chilean champion in Masters 1000 history.

Earning his second Top 10 win of the week against Zverev, a feat that would also be a personal first, figures to be the biggest challenge of his tournament.

"He's a very good player. He already won here," Jarry said of his opponent. "He's a tough, tough guy to beat. Amazing backhand, good serve. He's playing very good tennis right now.

"[I need to] just continue doing my game, continue being aggressive, dictating, try to be moving the ball with the forehand, serving good, consistent, and being strong mentally."

That attack-minded gameplan won't surprise Zverev, who owns a 4-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head advantage over the Chilean. But the towering talents — Jarry is 6-foot-7, Zverev 6-foot-6 — have split four meetings on clay. 

"I think Nicolas is one of the most aggressive players we have on the tour," Zverev assessed. "Obviously huge serve, huge forehand. Tries to hit big from both sides of the court. A very impressive win against Tsitsipas. He was down throughout most of the match, always managed to come back. Very impressive from him."

Also at stake on Sunday: Zverev is bidding for his sixth Masters 1000 title, which would tie Daniil Medvedev for most among players born since 1990. He is 5-5 in previous finals at that level. Jarry, a three-time tour-level champ who has already secured a rise to a career-high of No. 17 in the next edition of the PIF ATP Rankings, would move to No. 15 with the title.

Did You Know?
Zverev's first Rome final in 2017 doubled as his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Novak Djokovic. The German dominated in a 6-4, 6-3 win, an identical scoreline to his 2018 Nitto ATP Finals title match victory against the World No. 1.