Alexander Zverev closing in on hugely significant rankings rise after Rome win

Alexander Zverev’s status as one of the big contenders for the French Open title was confirmed as he found a way past the impressive Alejandro Tabilo at the Rome Masters.

The German rallied from the brink of defeat to win 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a thrilling semi-final, with the defeat ending a breakthrough run for Chilean Tabilo that included a famous win against world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

“I was just hanging on in the second set. I brought my energy up,” said Zverev.

“I was really just hanging on and waiting and the patience was kind of good today.

“He hit me off the court in the first set and I did not play well at all, but he was a big reason why. He gave me no rhythm and I am happy I turned it around in the tie-break and ran away in the third set.

“If he plays the way he played in the first two sets, it’s difficult to be more aggressive. At the start, I didn’t serve well and that didn’t help, but I’m happy to be in the final and winning is the most important.”

Zverev appears to be back to his very best almost two years after he sustained a serious ankle injury in a French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in 2022, when he was getting close to the world No 1 ranking.

That setback saw his ATP Ranking slide, but the German showed impressive fighting qualities to get back to the top and finished last season back in the top ten of the world rankings.

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Now he is one win away from a return to the top four of the world rankings, which would be significant as it would mean he will be among the top four seeds for future tournaments.

That rise would ensure Zverev avoids meetings with the top three players in the world until the semi-finals and his current form suggests that he could be a threat to everyone in the men’s game at a time when there is so much uncertainty around the sport.

Djokovic’s alarming slump in form and injury worries for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have left the French Open draw wide open heading into the tournament later this month.

“It was a very professional performance,” said former British No 1 Tim Henman as he spoke about Zverev on Sky Sports Tennis.

“There was no panic. He knew he had been outplayed in the first set and then he knew he would get his opportunities.

“Then when he got to the third set, you felt it was massively in his favour.

“Tabilo had all that momentum in the first two sets and suddenly it was running away from him.

“Zverev will be very pleased because he didn’t play great in the semi-finals of a Masters 1000, but he found a way to win.”

Former British No 1 Annabel Croft also paid tribute to Zverev’s form, as she commended his achievement of getting back to his best after his big injury two years ago.

“When he had as nasty an ankle injury with ligaments and tendons torn, it is phenomenal that he back at the top of the game,” said Croft.

“You can’t imagine what he has put himself through to play at this level again. It’s quite incredible.”