ALEXANDER ZVEREV won the Madrid Open on Sunday for the second time in the last three editions after battling back from losing a first-set tie-break to overcome Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 in a gripping final.

Germany’s Zverev, conqueror of claycourt specialists Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem en route to the final, dropped his first set of the tournament.

However, he fought back under a closed roof at the Manolo Santana stadium to lift his first claycourt title since 2019.

“I feel awesome,” Zverev said at a courtside interview. “It’s great. This is definitely a special win. I just want to enjoy it. I didn’t play too many guys who can serve like him, so it was a difficult match.”

Berrettini showed no sign of nerves in his maiden ATP 1000 final and landed the first blow, taking a see-sawing opening set in a tie-break, where he initially let slip a 5-0 advantage and then saved a set point.

But Zverev, who was champion in Madrid in 2018, hit back strongly in the second set, breaking the 25-year-old Italian in the ninth game to force a decider.

With unforced errors creeping into Berrettini’s game, the Italian squandered a break point at 2-2 and then proceeded to drop his own serve as Zverev inched closer to victory.

Zverev will shift his focus to Rome this week before continuing his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where he has never been beyond the quarterfinals.

“It’s difficult to switch, but Rome is also an event I like, and I hope I can perform the same way,” Zverev said.

(SD-Agencies)