Alexander Zverev learned how dangerous 21-year-old Alexander Blockx could be at the Madrid Masters when the two met in the semifinals. Zverev won, but the match was tense. The ATP No. 3 made sure their matchup in the third round of the Rome Masters wouldn't be so difficult.
Blockx, a rising player who likely has a bright future, simply struggled greatly with the German's serve. Zverev might be the best server on the ATP tour when he is in his best form, not because he has the fastest serve, but because he places it consistently so well.
Zverev had just one ace in the match, but landed 79 percent of his first serves, constantly putting Blockx on the defensive. He did face two break points, but saved both of them. Meanwhile, on his own serve, Blockx kept having to fight Zverev off at break point. He was broken three times total, which led to the German winning 6-1, 6-4.
Alexander Zverev pushes past Alexander Blockx with ease at the 2026 Rome Masters
The question about Zverev has always been whether he can win a major. He hasn't yet, though he is arguably the best player to never do so. He has won several Masters 1000s, though, and is excellent on clay. He could be a sneaky-good bet to be the winner at the Italian Open.
He could face a challenging match if he reaches the semifinals, however. He might take on clay-court sepcialist Casper Ruud if both players reach that round.
Alexander Zverev will next play the winner of the Tommy Paul and Luciano Darderi match in the round of 16. With no Carlos Alcaraz at the tournament due to a wrist injury, Zverev is likely the favorite to win the event after top-seed Jannik Sinner. Of course, Sinner just destroyed Zverev in the final in Madrid, so there is a vast distance between the ATP No. 1 and No. 3.
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