Alexander Zverev continues his strong performance at the Madrid tournament, becoming one of the few players to reach the semifinals of all four of the season’s first Masters 1000 events. After a convincing win over Flavio Cobolli, 6-1, 6-4, the German tennis player is preparing for a match against Alexander Blockx, aiming for a spot in the final and a chance to claim his first title of the year.
In the semifinals, Zverev faces a tough challenge: his opponent, 21-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx, is known for his fighting spirit on the court. Zverev himself notes that he appreciates Blockx’s playing style, but emphasizes that what matters most now is overcoming this stage—he has previously failed to progress past the semifinals at his last six Masters 1000 tournaments.
Personal and athletic life
On the eve of the Madrid tournament, Zverev marked two milestones: his 29th birthday and five years together with Sofia Thomalla. Despite breakup rumors that surfaced after the Australian Open, the couple refuted them as early as March at the Miami Open. Thomalla, host of the show ‘Are You the One?’, could not travel to Madrid, but congratulated Zverev on social media, posting a series of photos with him and their dog Mishka. In one post, she humorously thanked him for ‘five thrilling years,’ and in another, on behalf of their pet, wished ‘dad’ a happy birthday.
A record season
Zverev’s victory over Cobolli was not only revenge for his recent defeat in Munich, but also allowed him to join the elite group of players who have reached the semifinals at all four of the season’s first Masters 1000 tournaments. Until now, only Jannik Sinner (2026), Roger Federer (2006), and Rafael Nadal (2010, 2011) had achieved this. Now, the German tennis player can match Federer’s success if he gets past Blockx and reaches the final, where Italian Sinner is already waiting.
Context and rivalry
The Madrid tournament traditionally brings together the world’s strongest players and becomes a stage for new records and unexpected outcomes. This season, attention to the tournament is especially high due to a series of achievements by several players at once. Amid Zverev’s fight for the title and personal records, Madrid has witnessed several other striking moments — for instance, recently, the young Rafael Khodar surprised the public with his performance against the ranking leader, which was covered in detail in the article about the unexpected success of the Spanish tennis player.
Ahead for Zverev is a decisive match for a spot in the final. If he manages to overcome the semifinal hurdle, the German will not only get closer to his first trophy of the season but will also strengthen his position in the world ranking.
