Alexander Zverev suffered a major setback in his preparation for the French Open after squandering four match points and losing a dramatic third-round match at the ATP Masters in Rome. The German tennis star, who started strongly, was beaten 6-1, 6-7 (10-12), 0-6 by Italian Luciano Darderi, marking only the second time this year he has failed to reach the semifinals of a tournament.
Zverev was visibly frustrated after the match, criticizing the playing conditions. “I think this is the worst court I have ever played on. Juniors, pros, futures, training—I have never played on a court with such poor quality,” he said. The wind also played a factor, with Zverev noting, “I had a match point and the ball jumped over my head. I had a break point and the ball rolled. So yes, the wind was tough.” He admitted to feeling fatigued but attributed it more to his recent heavy schedule than a prior illness, adding, “I should have won the match in two sets.”
In a tense second-set tiebreak, Zverev failed to convert four match points while facing an enthusiastic Italian crowd and difficult court conditions. By the decisive third set, he ran out of energy. This loss means Zverev is still waiting for his first tournament win of the year and a third title at the Foro Italico, after victories in 2017 and 2024. It was also the first time this season he lost a match after winning the first set. He missed the chance to reach his 40th Masters quarterfinal.
After playing his previous two matches on the main Campo Centrale, Zverev was moved to the second show court, where the slower, softer surface did not suit his game. Despite an early break to go 2-0 in the first set, Zverev seemed in control, dictating play against world No. 20 Darderi. But the match turned in the second set. Zverev served for the match at 5-4 and then squandered four match points in the tiebreak, while Darderi, spurred on by the crowd, fought back. After nearly two and a half hours, the Italian converted his second match point, earning his first career win over a top-10 opponent. Darderi will face Spanish rising star Rafael Jodar in the quarterfinals.
For Zverev, who had been stopped in the semifinals or final of the last five Masters by Jannik Sinner, the next stop before the French Open (starting May 24) will be his hometown tournament in Hamburg.
