Zverev Reaches Fifth Straight Masters Semifinal, Awaits Blockx in Madrid

Key facts

• Alexander Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 in the Madrid Open quarterfinals.
• Zverev has reached the semifinals at five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events since Paris 2025.
• Zverev and Jannik Sinner are the first pair to reach five or more consecutive Masters 1000 semifinals since the format began in 1990.
• Zverev will face Alexander Blockx in the semifinals; it is their first tour meeting.
• Sinner will play Arthur Fils in the other semifinal; Sinner leads their head-to-head 1-0.
• Zverev is seeking his first title of the 2026 season.
• Zverev and his girlfriend Sophia Thomalla celebrated their fifth anniversary on his 29th birthday, the day before the Madrid Open started.

Zverev Extends Masters Semifinal Streak with Dominant Win

Alexander Zverev has advanced to the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open for the fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 event, dispatching Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4 on Thursday evening. The German, ranked world No. 3, jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first set and never relinquished control, finishing with 12 aces and a serve quality rating of 9.5. The victory was his 25th of the season. Zverev’s run of semifinal appearances dates back to the 2025 Paris Rolex Masters, and for the first time in that span, he will not have to face Jannik Sinner in the semifinal round. Instead, he meets Alexander Blockx, a 21-year-old Belgian who upset Casper Ruud to reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal.

A Historic Pairing: Zverev and Sinner Set Masters Record

Zverev and Jannik Sinner have become the first pair ever to reach the semifinals at five or more consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events since the format began in 1990. Sinner, the world No. 1, has won each of those tournaments and is aiming for an incredible fifth straight title at this year’s event. Sinner secured his semifinal spot by defeating 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar, while Zverev followed with his straight-sets win over Cobolli. The two are now tied with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the longest winning runs in Masters 1000 history, with each having achieved four consecutive titles without missing an event.

Blockx Awaits: Zverev Faces a Rising Belgian Star

Zverev will face Alexander Blockx in the semifinals on May 1, marking their first meeting on tour. Blockx, ranked outside the top 50, has been a surprise package, dethroning Casper Ruud to reach the final four. Zverev acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Of course, I need to get past this stage now,” referring to his failure to win a Masters 1000 semifinal in his last six attempts at that level. “I think he has great spirit when he’s on the tennis court. I enjoy watching him play,” Zverev said of Blockx. The German is seeking his first trophy of the year and would likely face Sinner in the final, should both advance.

Personal Milestone: Zverev and Thomalla Mark Five Years

Off the court, Zverev and his girlfriend, Sophia Thomalla, celebrated their fifth anniversary on his 29th birthday, the day before the Madrid Open officially started. Thomalla, a 36-year-old German television host, posted a carousel of photos on Instagram showing Zverev asleep with their dog, Mischka, with the caption: “Happy Birthday my love ❤️ Thank you for these 5 THRILLING years 😂🫶🏼.” The couple had faced rumors of a split during the Australian Open but publicly dispelled them at the Miami Open in March. Thomalla is not present at Caja Mágica for the tournament but has been cheering from afar.

Semifinal Showdown: Sinner vs. Fils and Blockx’s Breakthrough

The men’s semifinals feature two contrasting matchups. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will face Arthur Fils for the second time, having won their only previous meeting. Fils, like Blockx, is aiming for his first ATP Masters 1000 final. Sinner has already secured his spot at Roland Garros and holds a 1-0 record over Fils. Blockx, meanwhile, is the first Next Gen hotshot to reach a Masters semifinal this year, having dethroned Casper Ruud. His run has been one of the stories of the tournament, and he will look to continue his momentum against the experienced Zverev.

What Comes Next: Zverev’s Title Drought and Sinner’s Dominance

Zverev is still searching for his first title of the 2026 season, despite consistent deep runs in Masters events. His semifinal record at this level has been a stumbling block, with six consecutive losses in the final four of 1000-level tournaments. A win over Blockx would set up a potential final against Sinner, who has beaten Zverev in their last three meetings dating back to the 2023 US Open. Sinner, who has won every Masters event since Paris 2025, is on the verge of tying the record for consecutive Masters 1000 titles. His semifinal against Fils will be a test of his dominance, while Zverev must overcome both his opponent and his own recent history in semifinals.

The bottom line

• Alexander Zverev reached his fifth consecutive ATP Masters 1000 semifinal, a record shared with Jannik Sinner.
• Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-4, hitting 12 aces and earning a 9.5 serve quality rating.
• Zverev will face Alexander Blockx in the semifinals; it is their first tour meeting.
• Jannik Sinner will play Arthur Fils in the other semifinal; Sinner leads 1-0 in head-to-head.
• Zverev and his girlfriend Sophia Thomalla celebrated their fifth anniversary on his 29th birthday.
• Zverev is seeking his first title of 2026, while Sinner aims for a fifth straight Masters 1000 title.