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Zverev win his second Italian Open

Alexander Zverev claimed his second Italian Open title after defeated Nicolas Jarry in Rome.

Alexander Zverev playing in the US Open.
Alexander Zverev playing in the US Open. Picture: AAP Image

The German first lifted the trophy in the Italian capital back in 2017 and repeated that thanks to a 6-4 7-5 victory over unexpected finalist Jarry.

The Chilean battled extremely hard to try to force a decider, saving three match points, but Zverev, who lost only five points on serve all afternoon, finally forced a decisive error, sinking to the clay in delight.

It is a sixth title at Masters 1000 level for the German, who will overtake Daniil Medvedev as world number four on Monday, and a first since before the serious ankle injury he suffered at Roland Garros two years ago.

"It means a lot," he said. "Obviously winning my first (Masters) title in Rome and winning my first after the injury, Rome is a very special place for me. A very, very special week."

Zverev will now turn his attentions towards the French Open, which begins next Sunday, and he heads to Paris as one of the favourites for what appears one of the most open men's grand slam tournaments in years.

With neither Novak Djokovic nor Rafael Nadal in good form and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battling injuries, the path could be open for a host of possible contenders.

Meanwhile, world number one Iga Swiatek brushed aside number two Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's Italian Open event.

The 22-year-old Pole needed just one hour and 29 minutes to ease to a 6-2 6-3 victory over her 26-year-old Belarusian opponent on the clay to claim the crown for the third time in four years.

It was a repeat of Swiatek's victory over Sabalenka in the Mutua Madrid Open final two weeks ago, although that proved a far more testing affair as she saved three match points before coming through a tense tie-break to complete a 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7) win.

Asked afterwards if she considers herself favourite to complete an impressive hat-trick at the French Open, she told the WTA's official website: "Well, I'm number one, so I'm the favorite everywhere if you look at rankings.

"But rankings don't play, so … I'll do everything step by step and we'll see."

Swiatek broke to love in the third game to give herself the advantage in the first set, and it was one she never looked like surrendering as her depth of return kept Sabalenka on the back foot.

The second set proved far more testing with the world number one having to save a total of seven break points before her opponent succumbed to hand her a 4-3 lead, which ultimately proved decisive.

She said: "Overall, I try to treat these points as any other point. I'm not feeling like I'm under so much pressure. Maybe also because I know I'm a great returner, even if I'm going to get broken, I can work it out.

"I think in this tournament, my serve was kind of really helping me. All this work that we've been putting [in] actually paid off in those important moments."

For Swiatek, it was 21st WTA title and her fourth this year, and it came courtesy of a ninth successful final victory.

In the process, she became just the third woman to win in Madrid and Rome in the same year after Dinara Safina in 2009 and Serena Williams in 2013.

 


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