Alexander Zverev produced a dominant serving display to clinch a straight sets victory over Nicolas Jarry and claim his second Italian Open title. The German third seed dropped just five points on serve in a 6-4 7-5 win to seal a sixth Masters 1000 crown. Zverev will now move up a place to fourth in the world rankings and served a warning to his rivals ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 26.
Alexander Zverev put on a serving clinic in a 6-4, 7-5 win over 24th-ranked Nicolas Jarry to claim his second Italian Open title Sunday (May 19) and earn his biggest trophy since tearing an ankle apart two years ago.
Zverev opened the match with three straight aces on the red clay court and won 20 of his 21 service points in the first set. The German didn't drop a point on his first serve until late in the second set, when the 6-foot-7 Jarry ran down a well-placed drop shot and replied with a crosscourt winner.
In all, Zverev won 44 of his 49 service points – helped by getting in 95% of his first serves.
It has been a long road of recovery for the fifth-ranked Zverev after tearing three ligaments in his right ankle during the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
When Zverev broke Jarry to convert his fourth match point, he dropped to his knees on the red clay court, leaned back and let out a scream.
This year's French Open starts next Sunday, and Zverev has established himself among the favorites again – especially with top-ranked Novak Djokovic and 14-time Roland Garros champion Nadal both struggling lately. Djokovic and Nadal were eliminated in the second and third rounds, respectively, in Rome.
There are also injury concerns for second-ranked Jannik Sinner (hip) and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz (right forearm), who both withdrew from Rome.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek beat No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final Saturday.
In the women's doubles final, Coco Gauff double-faulted on match point to hand Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy the title with a 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 victory. Gauff teamed with Erin Routliffe.
Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos beat Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 6-2, 6-2 for the men's doubles title.
