Jannik Sinner looks at history as Alexander Zverev waits in Madrid final | ATP Tour & more related news here

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Sinner looks at history as Zverev waits in Madrid final

The world No. 1 is on a 22-match streak, but a two-time champion stands in his way

May 2, 2026

Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev will meet for the fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 event, but this time, with the title at stake at the Mutua Madrid Open. Can the world No. 1 once again surpass his well-known rival and continue his path towards history in the Spanish capital?

Sinner enters Sunday’s final (no earlier than 5:00 pm CEST/11 am ET) on the verge of becoming the first player to win five consecutive trophies at this level, having triumphed in Paris in 2025 and in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo this year. Zverev fell to Sinner in the semifinals of each of those events, and the two-time champion from Madrid is aware of the task ahead.

“He’s the No. 1 in the world and he hasn’t lost a match since the beginning of February,” Zverev said of Sinner, who is on a 22-game winning streak. “I think right now he is definitely the best player in the world. I think I have to play very, very good tennis to have a chance. But I know I am capable of doing it and I will try to do my best on Sunday.”

While Sinner has set the benchmark for consistency, Zverev has quietly built his own impressive streak. The German has reached at least the semi-finals in six of his seven events this season, and broke a persistent quarter-final drought (dating back to Paris in November) with a composed victory over 21-year-old rising star Alexander Blockx on Friday.

History, however, is firmly on Sinner’s side. The Italian has won his last eight Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings, a streak that dates back to Cincinnati in 2024, and has not lost a set to Zverev since their three-set Vienna final last October. If Zverev wants to turn things around in Madrid, he will have to make the most of the faster conditions.

Sinner may reach the final as a dominant force, but the Spanish capital has historically told a different story for both players. The Italian had never made it past the quarter-finals here before this run, while Zverev has long thrived at altitude. The German owns an impressive 30-6 record at the event, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and has beaten many of the top players here, including then-world No. 2 Rafael Nadal on his way to the 2021 title.

Those conditions have always played to Zverev’s strengths. He won more than 80 percent of first serve points in both the quarterfinals against Flavio Cobolli and the semifinals against Blockx, a level he will likely need to replicate or surpass to upset Sinner. Meanwhile, the Italian has been relentless throughout his campaign, winning 10 consecutive sets after losing the opener against Benjamin Bonzi.

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Beyond his trademark consistency in the backline, Sinner has also shown increasing variety, mixing drop shots and subtle changes of pace, which are weapons that could once again make the difference. Still, the world No. 1 remains committed to his instinctive and courageous approach.

“I like to play with a feeling,” Sinner said when asked about how to approach big moments in games. “That’s what I feel at the time, and I just try to go for it, honestly. There’s no real key. I think I’d rather go for it and miss a ball than wait for the opponent to miss. I’ve always been like that. Obviously you can’t always play like that, it also depends on how you feel. That’s how I see it.”

By reaching the final in all four Masters 1000 events this season, Sinner has already put himself in elite company, becoming the fourth (and youngest) player to achieve the feat, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Now, the 24-year-old is on the verge of single-handedly becoming the first man to win five consecutive titles at this level.

Sinner has also opened up a 1,040-point lead over Carlos Alcaraz in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, with the Spaniard sidelined for the remainder of the clay tour. Meanwhile, Zverev has cemented his place as world No. 3 and is chasing a third crown in Madrid.

Zverev’s pedigree here is undeniable, but against the Tour’s most dominant force, he faces his toughest test yet. Can the German break his eight-match losing streak against Sinner? Or will Sunday go down in history?