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THE FACTS
What is this tournament classed as in terms of ranking points? ATP 1000
When is Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry on and what time does it start? Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry will take place on Sunday 19th May, 2024 – not before 16:00 (UK)
Where is Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry taking place? Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry will take place at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy
What surface is Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry being played on? Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry
What channel is Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry on in the UK? Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Alexander Zverev vs Nicolas Jarry live on Sky Go, while Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
World number five Alexander Zverev will face number 24 Nicolas Jarry as the culmination of a totally unpredictable past fortnight at the Italian Open.
27-year-old Zverev won his first of now five Masters titles here in Rome back in 2017, stunning Novak Djokovic in the final, and he came back from a set down to oust an impressive Alejandro Tabilo on Friday, who in turn blew this draw wide open with victory over the world number one. Zverev found the form of his career this time three years ago to win Masters titles in Madrid, Cincinnati and Gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games but he suffered a terrible ankle injury in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros the following summer, with this his most prestigious match since more semi-final heartbreak at the Australian Open in January. Seven of the German’s 21 career ATP titles have come on clay, with victory at the Hamburg Open last summer the start of his return to form from that injury.
28-year-old Jarry will set a new career-high ATP world ranking of 17th but he could rise to 15th if he can cause a hefty upset in his maiden Masters final. The Chilean had struggled to find his best level this season, in contrast to his superb one last year that saw two more titles won on clay in Santiago and Geneva, but three-set victories over Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and an impressive Tommy Paul see him ready for the battle in this likely thriller. Jarry stunned Carlos Alcaraz to reach the Buenos Aires Open in February and he reached the round of 16 at Roland-Garros last summer before two-time runner-up Casper Ruud bested him, proving his credentials in these conditions.
THE PREDICTION
Jarry beat Zverev in straight sets in the semi-finals of the Geneva Open last summer, before beating Grigor Dimitrov to his third ATP title on clay, and he also beat the German in their first encounter at the Barcelona Open back in 2019. Zverev, however, beat Jarry to lift the Geneva title later in 2019 and he has since taken a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head with victories in each of their last two encounters last year – on grass at Halle and hardcourts in Beijing.
Notably, the pair are tied 2-2 on clay and three of their six meetings overall have seen sets go both ways, suggesting this could come down to the finest margins. Zverev’s experience both here in Rome and at prestigious events overall should be the defining reason he ends up lifting the trophy, though, as his 21-11 record in finals speaks for itself during the age of the ‘Big Three’ compared with Jarry’s 3-3 all record that includes, already, a defeat to the German in a clay final. Back Zverev to win his sixth Masters title.
TIP: ALEXANDER ZVEREV TO WIN