Alexander Zverev Makes a Stunning Comeback to Reach Rome Final 2024

Alejandro Tabilo’s rocket-like forehands and brilliantly placed drop shots kept Alexander Zverev off balance for almost an hour.

Nevertheless, the unheralded Chilean opponent of the fifth-ranked Zverev hung around and grasped his chance when it presented itself, rallying for a 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 triumph on Friday and a trip to the Italian Open final.

After falling to the clay in his previous encounter, Zverev, the 2017 Rome champion, had his left pinky wrapped and claimed that his finger was “crooked.” The German has a two-handed backhand yet plays right-handed.

Zverev will play either Tommy Paul or Nicolas Jarry, who were playing later, in Sunday’s championship match. On Saturday, the top-ranked Iga Swiatek will face the second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final. The final major wamup competition before Roland Garros begins on May 26 is in Rome.

Zverev is scheduled to go on trial during Roland Garros. He has been accused of causing bodily harm to a woman, and he has challenged a German court’s sentence ruling. He recently declared that he will not be present when the trial began.

Also Read: Nicolas Jarry Eyes Historic Masters 1000 Triumph for Chile in Rome Showdown

Prior to helping Zverev win the second-set tiebreaker due to a string of mistakes made by Tabilo, who is ranked 32, defeating Novak Djokovic, who is ranked first, in the tournament’s third round on Sunday. Tabilo had not lost a set thus far. Then, early in the third, Zverev seized the lead.

Lefty Tabilo struck three drop shots to close out the first set after slicing a serve wide to the ad court to save a break point halfway through.
Tabilo represented his native Canada during their frequent junior matches; Zverev and Tabilo were born in the same year.