Germany’s Alexander Zverev, world number 2, dominated Russia’s Andrey Rublev (8th) in two sets 6-4, 6-4 in their Masters opener in Turin on Monday. Zverev, recent winner of the Paris Masters 1000, had already beaten Rublev just over a year ago at the 2023 edition of the “Masters tournament”, their last meeting already in the group phase and already with a score of 6-4, 6-4.

The German made the difference in the first set, taking his opponent’s serve in the seventh game to lead 4-3, then 5-3. The two players remained back to back in the second set until 4-4. The German then took his opponent’s serve and a decisive advantage thanks in particular to two winning volleys.

After this victory, Zverev, twice winner of the Masters (2018, 2021), is in 2nd place in the “John Newcombe” group, behind Norway’s Casper Ruud (7th), who caused a sensation earlier by beating one of the title contenders, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (3rd), 6-1, 7-5.