Zverev Battles Through Illness to Overcome Altmaier in Gritty Rome Masters Victory

ROME — In a match that felt more like a survival exercise than a dominant display, Alexander Zverev fought through a physical slump and a lingering fever to defeat fellow German Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

For the world No. 4, the victory at the Foro Italico was less about tactical perfection and more about sheer willpower. While Zverev advanced to the third round of the Rome Masters, the performance revealed a player struggling with his health, leaving the door open for Altmaier to challenge the favorite throughout the 1 hour and 44 minute encounter.

The struggle was evident from the first serve. Zverev, typically a beacon of consistency from the baseline, looked uncharacteristically fragile. His movement was heavy, and a series of unforced errors suggested a lack of timing that rarely plagues the 26-year-old. However, the explanation emerged after the match: a battle with a fever that had sapped his energy over the preceding nights.

“I am also just a human being who gets sick,” Zverev admitted in a post-match interview. “I’ve played a lot of tennis, and my immune system probably just dipped. I’ve had a fever for the last few nights.”

Despite the physical toll, Zverev managed to navigate the treacherous waters of a domestic duel. He noted that while the match was a struggle, he felt optimistic about his recovery timeline. “I’m happy that I somehow survived the match, because I’m sure I’ll feel better the day after tomorrow,” he added.

A Match of Momentum Shifts

The opening set mirrored the instability of Zverev’s physical state. The match began with Zverev relying on his experience to fend off early break opportunities, eventually finding his rhythm to secure a 4-2 lead. For a moment, it appeared the match would slide away from Altmaier, but the underdog capitalized on a momentary lapse in Zverev’s concentration, securing a crucial re-break to pull the set toward a potential tiebreak.

Just as the momentum seemed to shift entirely toward Altmaier, Zverev produced a flash of the world-class talent that has defined his career. He closed out the first set 7-5 with a clinical passing shot that left Altmaier stranded, a moment of brilliance that served as a reminder of why Zverev remains a perennial favorite on clay.

The second set followed a similar pattern of volatility. Zverev surrendered his serve early, but responded with a rapid re-break to level the score at 2-2. As the match progressed, Zverev’s endurance seemed to stabilize slightly. He managed to break Altmaier again to lead 5-3, eventually converting his fourth match point to seal the victory.

To provide some context for global followers, the Rome Masters is one of the most grueling stops on the ATP Tour. The slow, heavy red clay of the Foro Italico demands peak cardiovascular fitness—something Zverev clearly lacked today, making his progression into the third round a testament to his mental toughness.

Mixed Fortunes for the German Contingent

While Zverev survived, other German hopefuls saw their Roman campaigns end abruptly. Jan-Lennard Struff suffered a disappointing second-round exit, falling to Czech player Jiri Lehecka in straight sets, 6-7 (4-7), 3-6. Struff, known for his powerful game, struggled to find a way through Lehecka’s defensive wall.

On the women’s side, Eva Lys came agonizingly close to a career-defining upset. Lys pushed former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka to the limit in a three-set thriller. Despite a spirited comeback in the second set, Lys ultimately fell 4-6, 6-4, 3-6. The match highlighted Lys’s growth on the international stage, even if the result didn’t swing in her favor.

The Road to Roland Garros

For Zverev, the priority now is recovery. With the French Open scheduled to begin on May 26 in Paris, the Rome Masters serves as the final critical litmus test for clay-court form. A deep run in Italy is often a harbinger of success at Roland Garros, but the primary goal for the German is now to restore his immune system to full strength.

Zverev now moves into the third round, where he will face either the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor or Belgium’s Alexander Blockx. If he can shake the fever, he remains one of the primary threats to the title in Rome.

As the tournament progresses, the tennis world will be watching to see if Zverev’s “human” moment was a temporary setback or a sign of deeper fatigue heading into the Grand Slam season. For now, he has the win—and the opportunity to recover.

Zverev’s next match is scheduled for the third round. Stay tuned to Archysport for updated brackets and match times as the Rome Masters reaches its crescendo.

What do you think about Zverev’s form heading into the French Open? Let us know in the comments below.