Alexander Zverev is into the Monte-Carlo Masters semi-finals for the third time after a three-set win over Joao Fonseca.
It was the first time he had faced the Brazilian teenager, coming out on top 7-5, 6-7, 6-3.
Zverev hasn’t looked entirely sharp this week, but he’s still managed to put together wins against Cristian Garin, Zizou Bergs and now Fonseca.
Next up for Zverev is Jannik Sinner, a matchup that hasn’t gone his way recently. He’s dropped their last seven meetings at tour-level events.
The German has also joined a select group with his latest win. Only five others have accomplished what he just did with his victory over Fonseca.
With his latest result, Zverev has now reached 15 Masters semifinals in singles play. That puts him level with Daniil Medvedev among active players on tour.
Looking back through ATP history, Rafael Nadal sits at the top of this list with an astonishing 76 appearances in Masters semi-finals over the course of his career.
Zverev reaches another semi-final in 2026
Since his early exit at the Mexican Open, Zverev has been in excellent form. He reached the semi-finals of both Indian Wells and Miami, losing to Sinner each time.
Now, with another semi-final appearance in Monte-Carlo, Zverev has added his name to a very short list of players on the ATP Tour.
The world number three is now only the sixth player ever to reach the semi-finals of all three opening ATP Masters 1000 events in a single season.
He joins an elite group that includes Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Sinner.
Zverev and Sinner’s recent head-to-head record
Zverev’s next opponent at the Monte-Carlo Masters, Jannik Sinner, has been a difficult hurdle for him in recent years.
The German has lost their past seven meetings, picking up only two sets in that span.
Their last tour-level match took place at the 2023 US Open, where Zverev came through a gruelling five-setter.
He won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets.
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