By Tony FairbairnAlexander Zverev [3] v Alexander BlockxJannik Sinner [1] v Arthur Fils [21]MADRID, SPAIN – Alexander Zverev is aiming for more success in Madrid as the German takes on Alexander Blockx for a place in the final.
Alexander Zverev [3] v Alexander Blockx | H2H: First Meeting
It’s been another successful trip to Madrid for Alexander Zverev who eased past Flavio Cobolli to reach the semi-finals in Spain. The conditions suit the German’s game and Zverev is targeting a third title in Madrid to send a statement of intent ahead of Roland Garros later this month. Next up for Zverev is surprise semi-finalist Alexander Blockx who has knocked out Felix Auger-Aliassime and defending champion Casper Ruud in order to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final of his career.
H2H & Match FundamentalsAlexander Zverev [3] v Alexander BlockxH2H: First Meeting Madrid 2026 Madrid, Spain Clay (O) Prize Money: €297,550Third on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 19:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
Once again, Zverev has produced the results needed in Madrid as he is into another semi-final despite some close matches.
Now, Zverev aims to go one step closer to a third Madrid title in a boost to his Roland Garros preparations.
Standing in Zverev’s way is surprise semi-finalist Blockx who knocked out defending champion Ruud in stunning fashion.
The Belgian will be hoping his run doesn’t stop here as he will aim to cap off a dream week by reaching a first Masters 1000 final.
After her semi-final win Zverev said his win over Cobolli wasn’t revenge for his loss to the Italian in Munich and is determined to reach the final in Madrid.
“No revenge. I love Flavio. He’s one of my favourite guys on Tour,” Zverev told the ATP website.
“I have a great relationship with him and a great relationship with his father. This is sport… Sports can change very quickly. In Munich, he played an amazing match and I didn’t play a very good match. Today, it was maybe the opposite.
“It’s amazing but, of course, I need to get past this stage now.”
Meanwhile Blockx admitted his confidence is high and doesn’t know how his ceiling is yet after an impressive week in Madrid.
“I got into the main draw last minute on Friday, just before the deadline. So winning my first match here was already a bonus for me. Then of course all the other matches, I never thought I would get that far,” Blockx told the ATP website.
“But once you get confident and you feel your game, a lot can happen. Every game is still a bonus. It’s my first time in such a deep run, and I’m just happy to still be here. never had too much confidence on clay the last couple of years. But I think I cannot say that anymore with the results I am having. I think I improved a lot on all my shots, my physicality. I think the conditions here are a bit quicker than the usual clay, so that helps as well. But I definitely like clay now.
“[My] ranking is going up really fast, and it’s nice to be able to play the bigger tournaments now. I don’t know the ceiling, I’ll just see match by match, and hopefully I can get as high as I can.”
Zverev will use the backhand to dominate play and will be proactive by stepping inside the baseline.
Meanwhile, Block will use the angles to force Zverev into different positions and will close off rallies at the net.
Both players are confident on serve, producing minimal errors on the first serve so that will be where the match is won or lost.
In the end Zverev’s quality in these conditions could prove to be the decisive factor.
Prediction: Zverev in three sets.
Jannik Sinner [1] v Arthur Fils [21] | H2H: Sinner leads 1-0
Another comfortable tournament for Jannik Sinner so far as the Italian targets a first title in the Spanish capital. The world number one has been dominant at Masters 1000 level so far this season, winning all three on offer, and would love nothing more to extend his dominance heading into his home tournament in Rome. Standing in his way is Arthur Fils after the in-form Frenchman earned revenge on Jiri Lehecka from the Miami final to reach the last four in Madrid.
H2H & Match FundamentalsJannik Sinner [1] v Arthur Fils [21]H2H: Sinner leads 1-0 Madrid 2026 Madrid, Spain Clay (O) Prize Money: €297,550Second on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 15:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required
Another dominant week for Sinner who is yet to drop a set this week in Madrid and is firm favourite to win a first Madrid title.
However, complacency cannot be afforded for Sinner who chases more records and aims to set the standard at the top of the rankings.
Next up for Sinner is the in-form Fils who is on a big winning streak having won the title in Barcelona before Madrid.
Now, Fils targets more Masters 1000 success as he bids to reach a first final at this level having narrowly missed out in Miami.
After defeating Rafael Jodar, Sinner spoke about handling the pressure and is ready for the semi-final clash.
“Of course [I felt] pressure, because before the match I was the favourite,” Sinner explained to the ATP website.
“But at the same time you need to handle the pressure in a very good way. I felt like the atmosphere was very fair and supporting Rafael. But at the same time, it was very, very fair and that’s something what I really appreciate from the fans. We were hoping for a good match, and that was the case. So when you’re part of a good match, it’s always a good feeling.
“Everyone is a very different player, and you need to adjust yourself. Even though here it’s a quite unique place to play, at the same time you also need to find solutions here. So it was a great match [today]. I found a way through. I am starting to get a bit tired also, but at the same time, I try to recover as much as I can and then we see how it goes for the semis.”
Meanwhile, Fils is extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals and previewed his clash with Sinner.
“I am very happy to be in the semis here, as the last two years, I had never won a match or a set here, so to be in the semis feels very good,” Fils explained to the ATP website.
“When it is slow and heavier [conditions] I feel good. I know with my fitness, I can hold for three or four hours in these conditions. I feel very good.
“It is a good battle. He is the World No. 1, he is a big champion. He won Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo. I am going to try my best and play my best tennis and enjoy myself on the court. It is nice to come on the court as an underdog.”
Sinner will dictate the points on the serve as the Italian looks to use the backhand to open up the court and will approach the net to finish off points.
Meanwhile, Fils will aim to return well and will use aggressive and deep shots to cause Sinner problems.
This will be Sinner’s toughest test of the tournament so far with Fils’s game capable of taking a set off of Sinner.
However, the world number one should have enough consistent quality to prevail and reach the final.
Prediction: Sinner in three sets.
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