Jannik Sinner – Alexander Zverev live in the ticker: Quarterfinals at the Clay Court Masters in Monte Carlo

Alexander Zverev has the chance to reach the semifinals for the second time at the ATP Masters in Monte Carlo on Good Friday. The Hamburg player meets Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, who defeated Andrey Rublev, number one in the world rankings, in three sets in his round of 16.

After his season has been disappointing so far, a semi-final entry for Zverev would be an important step back on the road to success. Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, would like to follow up after reaching the quarter-finals at the Masters in Miami and make it into a semi-final for the first time this year.

The quarterfinals between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev here in the ticker:

Zverev – Sinner: Behandlungspause

The right thigh seems to cause big problems for Zverev. During a short break in treatment, he gets a massage. Can he recover?

Zverev – Sinner 5:7, 3:2

Zverev is now loudly cheering every point and cheering himself on. “Come on!” he yells several times. Despite the motivation boosts, he initially gives a 30:0 and lets Sinner approach. This then pale pale two break balls. Zverev uses this negligence and secures the point and the new lead. However, he is showing signs of physical ailments. The Hamburger pointed to his right thigh several times and asked for a physiotherapist. A short break follows.

Zverev – Sinner 5:7, 2:2

And that’s the re-break for Zverev! First, the German carelessly awarded the point that was believed to be safe and missed the empty corner on Sinner’s side. The latter gives him the break with a subsequent double fault.

Zverev – Sinner 5:7, 1:2

What’s going on with Zverev? Sinner secures a total of seven games in a row, but misses the first break ball. Afterwards, the 20-year-old is undeterred and comes up trumps. Zverev has to be careful now!

Zverev – Sinner 5:7, 1:1

The set win seems to have done a lot for Sinner, you can literally feel the South Tyrolean’s self-confidence. Zverev makes an unnecessary mistake with the decisive ball, number 4 in the world has no chance. Sinner draws the same.

Zverev – Sinner 5:7, 1:0

Zverev finds the right answer and at least secures his first service game in the second set. Sinner keeps trying to force Zverev on the defensive. But the German knows how to avert this plan.

Zverev is behind

The second sentence is coming soon. Can Zverev hold his own after this setback?

Zverev – Sinner 5:7

Zverev now seems a bit off the mark and doesn’t know the right answer to his Italian counterpart’s serves. Sinner not only gets the fifth out of the last six games, but also the set.

Zverev – Sinner 5:6

It works on the fourth try! Sinner gets Zverev in trouble again and again, but gives away the crucial ball to break three times. Another double mistake by Zverev ends this intense game. Sinner takes the lead for the first time today.

Zverev – Sinner 5:5

What is striking: As soon as Sinner serves, the rallies tend to be lengthy – which Zverev then makes one or the other mistake. Zverev can only look back in this game, Sinner lets his talent shine through.

Zverev – Sinner 5:4

What dominance! Sinner stumbles with every single service from Zverev, the South Tyrolean doesn’t stand a chance. The Hamburger gets the 5: 4, with a break he would be sure of the first set.

Zverev – Sinner 4:4

The game that followed turns out to be open, Zverev continues to counter Sinner’s serves with full force. Despite a temporary lead, the German has to give away the point. Sinner sets the match back to a draw.

Zverev – Sinner 4:3

And suddenly Zverev wobbles! He loses the first two serves after two quick rallies. After a short discussion with the referee, he made a double fault. Zverev then gets involved in an argument with the referee, the audience responds with a small whistling concert. When tempers calmed down again, Sinner put the finishing touches and got the break!

Zverev – Sinner 4:2

Zverev is now making two small inaccuracies: one ball lands in the net, the other out. Nevertheless, he still manages to put a lot of pressure on Sinner during his service game. But Sinner does not let himself be defeated and prevents the second break of the German.

Zverev – Sinner 4:1

Zverev is still wide awake and causes Sinner considerable difficulties, especially with his service game. In between, the talent occasionally manages a well-placed return, but Zverev underlines his qualities there too – and pulls away 4: 1.

Zverev – Sinner 3:1

In Sinner’s service game, one or two mistakes creep in, which is why the 20-year-old is rather cautious. In return, Zverev returns without errors and gets the first break in this game!

Zverev – Sinner 2:1

Strong start from Sinner, who counters Zverev impressively after his serve and doesn’t give the German a chance. However, the number 4 in the world continues to impress with his powerful serves and forces his opponent to make a crucial mistake. Sinner’s ball flies too far, ending the third game. Zverev leads again.

Zverev – Sinner 1:1

Sinner tries to turn the tables and wins the first two serves. Zverev is feeling his way in the meantime, but ultimately loses the game.

Zverev – Sinner 1:0

Zverev is entitled to the first serve in this game and sends Sinner straight onto the defensive. The Italian is visibly struggling with the powerful punches of his opponent and is sent from one corner to the other. An ace concludes Zverev’s first error-free game.

The race for the world number one

A win today would be of immense importance for Zverev. If he reached the semi-finals, the Hamburger would move up to 200 points from Novak Djokovic in the race for the lead in the world rankings.

Focus on Sinners Fitness

Although Sinner impressively prevailed against Rublev in three sets the day before, the Italian caused a stir with a short injury break. The 20-year-old had to be treated on his foot during the match, a blister plagued the up-and-coming talent. Whether it makes itself felt today? At the Masters tournament in Miami, Sinner even had to give up the quarter-final duel against Francisco Cerundolo.

The quarterfinals will start shortly

The meeting between Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz has just ended. The Bulgarian prevailed 6:3, 3:6, 7:6 and thus entered the semifinals. In a few minutes, the third quarter-finals of the day between Zverev and Sinner will take place.

Strong on clay, bane in Monaco

Even if the only sand comparison between the two so far speaks against Zverev, this surface has proven to be a good place for the 24-year-old in the past. After all, he won three of his five Masters titles on sand: in 2017 he won in Rome, in 2018 and 2021 in Madrid. In the Principality of Monaco, on the other hand, things are looking bleak. In five appearances, he only advanced past the round of 16 once (2017 semi-finals). Today, Zverev could take an important step to defeat this curse in his adopted country.

Comparison speaks (slightly) for Zverev

Zverev and Sinner meet for the fourth time. Although the German is 2-1 ahead in a direct comparison, it is 1-0 for his opponent from Italy on clay. In the round of 16 of the French Open 2020, Sinner prevailed 6: 3, 6: 3, 4: 6, 6: 3 against the Olympic champion. In the two subsequent duels in Cologne and at the US Open, however, Zverev left the field as the winner. Can he extend his lead today?

Becker defends Zverev in the Eurosport podcast

Becker considers Zverev’s misconduct to be a mistake. However, the 54-year-old is annoyed that competitors like Rafael Nadal or Casper Ruud felt called upon to publicly discipline the German. “What I don’t like at all is when other players criticize it. Everyone really has to stay with themselves and look in the mirror. We’re not all perfect, everyone freaks out and you just don’t do that,” complained Becker. From his point of view, “tennis players are also teammates” and “you really shouldn’t comment publicly on the misconduct of others. I think that’s wrong.”

• Watch the full episode of Das Gelbe vom Ball here:

Sinner – Zverev: Welcome

Hello and welcome from Monte Carlo to the Quarterfinals day of the ATP Masters. In the round of the last eight, Alexander Zverev meets Jannik Sinner today. Christoph Niederkofler ticks the game live for you. Have fun!