ATP Tour

Zverev on Rome defeat: 'He played amazing tennis; I should have won in two sets'

Alexander Zverev missed an opportunity to close out his fourth-round match at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia Tuesday against Luciano Darderi. After failing to convert four match points in the second-set tie-break, the German will be left to rue a chance to continue his consistent start to the clay season.

“I did get tired. Whether it's a sickness or I just played a lot of tennis... That's one of the reasons,” Zverev said. “I think I should have won the match in two sets. That's just the story from there. Of course, the third set went for him. He played amazing tennis. I should have won the match in two sets.”

The two-time Rome champion had four chances to advance to the quarter-finals at the Foro Italico. But once Darderi was able to escape and force a decider, the Italian raised his level in front of his home fans.

“I have no problem with the Italian fans. I enjoyed them. I think they're energetic,” Zverev said. “They're passionate about their own players, which is completely fine. They were fair.”

Before Rome, Zverev had suffered four of his previous five defeats to Jannik Sinner, who is now three victories in Rome from completing the Career Golden Masters. Although Sinner did not end the German’s run in Italy, he knows the World No. 1 could be an opponent in the weeks and months to come.

“I do have to believe that I'm capable of beating him,” Zverev said. “I do have to believe it, otherwise we can just give him the trophy without playing the tournament.”