On April 29, 2025, the tennis world witnessed a stunning upset as Alexander Zverev, the second-ranked player globally and top seed at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid, fell to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round. The match, which lasted 1 hour and 31 minutes, ended with a score of 5:7, 3:6, sending shockwaves through the tennis community.
Despite Zverev's impressive form leading into the match, including a hard-fought victory over Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina in the previous round, where he triumphed 4:6, 7:6, 7:6 without losing a single point in the deciding tie-break, he could not find his rhythm against Cerundolo. In the opening match of the tournament, Zverev had decisively defeated Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut 6:2, 6:2, showcasing his potential as a serious contender for the title.
Cerundolo, seeded 20th in the tournament, was no stranger to tough competition. He had confidently navigated through the earlier rounds, defeating Frenchman Harold Mayo 6:3, 6:4 in his opening match and then overcoming compatriot Francisco Comesana 6:4, 6:4 in the third round. This victory against Zverev marks Cerundolo's eighth time this season winning at least two matches in a single tournament, a testament to his growing prowess on the ATP tour.
The match statistics tell a compelling story. Zverev managed to serve one ace and did not commit any double faults, but he failed to convert a single break point from the one he earned. In contrast, Cerundolo recorded one ace, two double faults, and successfully broke Zverev's serve twice, which proved pivotal in his victory. The Argentine's ability to capitalize on Zverev's missed opportunities was crucial in securing his spot in the quarter-finals.
Looking ahead, Cerundolo will face Czech player Jakub Mensik, the 23rd seed, in the quarter-finals. This matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in the tournament, which boasts a prize fund of €7.8 million and concludes on May 4, 2025.
The defeat for Zverev raises questions about his current form, especially considering he lost both of his previous encounters against Cerundolo. Last year's meeting in Madrid ended with a similar score of 6:3, 6:4 in favor of the Argentine, and earlier this season, Zverev was also defeated by Cerundolo in Buenos Aires, 6:3, 3:6, 2:6. These results indicate a troubling trend for the German player, who will need to reassess his strategy moving forward.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to the remaining competitors, with fans eagerly anticipating how the matches will unfold. The excitement surrounding the Madrid Open continues to build, and Cerundolo's victory over Zverev has added a thrilling narrative to this year's event.
With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Mutua Madrid Open is proving to be a platform for emerging talents like Cerundolo to shine while challenging established stars like Zverev. The tennis world will be watching closely as the tournament approaches its climax, with each match potentially altering the landscape of the ATP rankings and the players' trajectories.
