Zverev seals Rome title with comprehensive win over Jarry

Alexander Zverev produced a brilliant serving performance as he beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 to win the Rome Masters title for the second time.

The German dropped just one point on serve in the first set and just five in all as he claimed his 22nd career title, adding the trophy to the one he won in Rome in 2017.

It’s his sixth Masters 1000 title but his first Masters 1000 title since he won in Cincinnati in 2021. Two years after a serious ankle injury picked up at Roland-Garros, he will return to Paris as one of the favourites as he continues to chase his first Grand Slam title.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Rome was where I won my first Masters 1000 and now it’s where I have won my first since my injury. It’s a very, very special week.”

Zverev’s serve on fire

Zverev came out firing and his serve was on from the start. He made more than 90 percent of his first serves and never allowed Jarry, who was appearing in his first Masters 1000 final, a chance to get a foothold in any of his service games.

By contrast, the Chilean found himself under pressure in the fourth game, when he held to deuce, and again in the seventh, when he had to save two break points to stay on level terms.

But the pressure told in his next service game as Jarry sent a groundstroke long to hand Zverev the set.

Jarry raises his game but Zverev too strong

Zverev continued to be untouchable on serve, making an incredible percentage while at the other end, Jarry was having to dig deep to hold his own serve and stay level.

The Chilean’s resolve was never in doubt; he had beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tommy Paul on his way to a first Masters 1000 final, and he continued to fight hard to stay on serve.

At 4-4, 15-0 down he finally won a point on the Zverev first serve, sprinting to a drop shot and flicking a winner cross-court. Jarry followed it with a stunning backhand pass to stand at 30-30. It didn’t matter, though, as Zverev held to move within a game of victory.

Jarry double-faulted – the first of the match by either player – to make it 15-30 and then hit another to give Zverev two match points. As he had done throughout the tournament, Jarry played his best tennis when behind to save both and held to extend the match.

Zverev then held for 6-5 and at 30-40, had a third match point, saved again, but after creating a fourth chance, a big forehand was too much for Jarry and the match was his.

Jarry focused on Roland-Garros

Jarry said he had felt not far away but was now looking forward to Roland-Garros.

“Once the point started, I was feeling comfortable, stable, I was feeling good,” he said. “I wanted to keep hanging there. I knew that if I could stay a little bit longer, I would have some chances that hopefully I could make it. But it was a bit late.

“My feeling right now is I want to go to Roland-Garros and play better because I know I can play better and do good there. I’m very motivated. That’s how I am right now.”

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