Cerundolo topples Zverev and joins Fritz in Madrid quarter-finals!

It was the first big surprise of the day in Madrid. Francisco Cerundolo, ranked 22nd in the world and adept at playing on ochre, brilliantly outclassed a very disappointing Alexander Zverev (6-3, 6-4).

The Argentinian, who played a very high-level match (19 winners, 11 unforced errors, 0 service games lost), gave the world number 5 no chance. Far too long on his line, Zverev lacked the effectiveness, particularly on his return, to trouble his opponent.

For the German, the clay-court season is looking more and more like a major disappointment. Eliminated in the round of 16 in Monte-Carlo (beaten by Tsitsipas) and then in the quarter-finals in Munich, he left Spain earlier than expected. With the French Open fast approaching, the 1.98m right-hander will have to do much better if he is to have any hope of making an impact in Paris.

For his part, Cerundolo scored one of the finest victories of his career. The 25-year-old is impressing and could be an interesting outsider for the rest of the tournament. In any case, he will meet Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals, a solid winner over Hubert Hurkacz (7-6, 6-4). A dangerous opponent, especially at altitude. Indeed, the conditions so particular to Spain favor Fritz's server-rapper game (since the start of the tournament, Fritz has 30 aces, 66 winners and 15 unforced errors). That said, Taylor Fritz is also an opponent who will bring back fond memories, as their only head-to-head meeting took place at last year's French Open, when the Argentine won in 4 sets.