Alexander Zverev suffered an early exit in the ongoing Italian Open. In the fourth round, the three-time Grand Slam finalist squandered four match points against Luciano Darderi and lost with a 1-6, 7-6(10), 6-0 scoreline.
Even though Zverev has been making deep runs this season, on several occasions, Jannik Sinner dashed his hope of ending his title drought. Before arriving in the Italian capital, the four-time Major finalist played his first final of the season at the Madrid Open but was no match for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
After his latest upset, the World No.3 took his frustrations out on the court, calling it 'the worst court I've ever played on'. Amidst his trophyless campaigns, he also lashed out at Tennis Channel, simply because he was not included in its video. In the video posted on Instagram, several players, excluding Zverev, attempted a Roman numerals challenge. Zverev revealed that he also took part in the challenge.
Just a random question [Tennis Channel], why do I do all of these games and all these promotion activities with you guys, but then every time I get something right, I get cut out of every single one? Just asking if you're just interested in wasting my time or just hope that I get something wrong so you can then put that in? I know you have players that you love to hate on and players that you love. So just please stop wasting my time then. Thank you.
Zverev will next be competing at the French Open, where last year, Novak Djokovic defeated him in the quarterfinals. Sascha was the finalist in 2024, losing a five-set thriller to Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev hasn't yet clinched a trophy since defeating Ben Shelton in the 2025 Munich Open final. Since then, he has played two finals, at the 2025 Vienna Open and the 2026 Madrid Open, losing both to Sinner.
After upsetting Alexander Zverev, Luciano Darderi knocked out Rafael Jodar in the quarterfinals to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal for the first time in his career. At the press conference after his win over Zverev, Darderi admitted that he had no idea about the match points that he saved against the 29-year-old.
How many match points did I save? Four, really? I was so focused that I swear I don't remember. I think it was one or two. I had always played at night and went to bed at three or four. Today was the first match I played during the day. The conditions were different. There is a lot of pressure playing here. I wanted to show that I could play a match like this. Luckily, I managed to win because I could have easily lost. Nevertheless, the level is there.
It was Darderi's career's first top 10 win. He is set to lock horns with three-time Major finalist Casper Ruud, who beat Karen Khachanov in straight sets. The Norwegian ace, the 2025 Madrid Open champion, has reached the last four of the Rome Masters for the fourth time in his career.
He will be meeting the Italian ace for the first time in his career. Ruud is chasing his first title of the season, with his last title being the 2025 Stockholm Open, which he clinched by defeating Ugo Humbert.
Darderi, on the other hand, has already played two finals this year. He lost the Argentina Open to Francisco Cerundolo and lifted the Chile Open against Yannick Hanfmann, winning his fifth title from his sixth final. The 24-year-old has yet to reach a final in ATP 500 or above events.
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