Alexander Zverev is too big an obstacle for Flavio Cobolli in the last quarter-final in Madrid. The blue was defeated 6-1, 6-4 by the number two seed, in a match that immediately started on the wrong foot: a break suffered in the first game on serve, peppered with two double faults. The German takes the lead, and the first set goes quickly. In the second the Roman finds his gladiatorial spirit again, fighting to save three break points in both the first and fifth games (even from 0-40), but at 4-4 he capitulates on serve. The two counterbreak chances in the final game were of no avail: on the first he was unable to sink, the German was reinvigorated and flew to close the match. In the semi-final he will face the surprise Belgian Alexander Blockx. The 21-year-old, world number 69, defeated reigning champion Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4.
Having also said goodbye to Cobolli, Italy’s eyes are all on the number one, in search of their first final in Madrid and a further leap forward in the ranking to distance themselves from their home idol and only rival for the throne, Carlos Alcaraz, who is stuck in the pits and with the risk that his injury could even jeopardize the entire season. Jannik Sinner doesn’t stop anymore and, after getting rid of the Spanish rising star Rafael Jodar, he is ready to reach a new milestone by challenging the ATP n.25, the French Arthur Fils, who brought his series of consecutive victories to nine and in 2026 he has never lost on clay. Not an easy task, today at 4pm, for the South Tyrolean who hopes to recover his energy in time to continue pushing himself beyond the limit.
The many matches in recent weeks have also inevitably weighed on Sinner: «I’ve played a lot in the last period, with a few days of rest – explained the world no.1 after overcoming Jodar in the quarterfinals to reach his first semi-final in Madrid – But at the same time I want to push myself to the limit, understand where I can go. It’s never easy, but that’s the only way you improve.” Continuous work, also on mental management: «Sometimes when you’re tired your attitude isn’t perfect, but – adds Fils – I’m trying to improve in this too. Every day is different: you can feel better or worse, have some pain or more pressure. The important thing is to manage it in a positive way and keep pushing.”
All this while news is bouncing from Spain about a possible stoppage of Alcaraz well beyond Roland Garros due to the wrist injury: the latest on the Spaniard’s condition comes from Marca which reports the statements of Dr. Martinez Romero: «It’s a problem that can be resolved with treatment and rest in most cases. An acute tenositis has a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks, but if the injury is prior and has become chronic we can also talk about a recovery period of 3 to 6 months: this would mean the end of the season for him.” Returning to Sinner’s semi-final, Fils’s ascent continues apace and tomorrow, in the first semi-final with a Frenchman on the field at the Mutua Madrid Open since 2009, the year in which the Masters 1000 moved to clay at the Caja Magica, he will challenge the world number 1. “I will see where I am at and draw some conclusions – warns the transalpine tennis player – Whether I win or lose, there will be many things to learn.” The Frenchman will play for the second time against Sinner, who beat him in the only previous direct match in Montepellier, on the hard indoors, in 2023. The Italian has won all the last 26 matches played in the Masters 1000, but his rival appears confident. «I haven’t lost a match on clay, and neither has Jannik. He has a lot of confidence, so do I. I hope it’s a good fight. Frankly I think it’ll be fun. I know I can turn matches like this, I’m capable of it. It will be a very high intensity match – his belief – Jannik is playing very well at the moment. I watched his match against Jodar: he could have turned in his opponent’s favor several times, but he is very strong mentally and brought it home. I will have to be at my best from start to finish. I can’t wait to start the match, and like against any opponent I will take the field to win.”