Munich
Zverev wins see-saw clash with Cerundolo for Munich SF spot
Home favourite will take on Cobolli in last four
April 17, 2026
BMW Open
Alexander Zverev is chasing a record fourth Munich title.
By Andy West
Alexander Zverev held his nerve after a manic start to snap his clay losing streak against Francisco Cerundolo and book a semi-final spot at the BMW Open by Bitpanda.
The top seed and defending champion in Munich, Zverev recovered from letting slip a double break lead in the opening set to earn a 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 quarter-final victory against fifth seed Cerundolo. Now into his fifth Munich semi-final, the No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will take on Flavio Cobolli for a place in the championship match.
Zverev’s reign roars on 🦁🇩🇪
Three-time champion @AlexZverev battles back 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 past Cerundolo into a 5th Munich SF@BMWOpen500 | #BMWOpenbyBitpanda pic.twitter.com/HFKUlpGhni
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 17, 2026
Having lost his first three tour-level meetings with Cerundolo (all of which took place on clay), Zverev has since reeled off five straight wins to lead 5-3 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. In his latest victory against the Argentine, Zverev’s intent to dictate from the baseline was often clear, particularly on return: the 28-year-old converted seven of 12 break points he earned in the two-hour, 15-minute encounter, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“I thought it was an incredible level,” said Zverev. “Even in the first set when I was up 4-1, he started playing unbelievable. He started returning unbelievable. My first-serve percentage was very high, and he started returning a foot in front of the baseline. So there was nothing I could do, to be honest. I was happy with my level even in the first set. Definitely happy to get the win today against Francisco, for the first time on clay.”
Zverev is now 21-6 for the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, having reached the semi-finals at five of the six events in which he has competed (including Munich). He is this week chasing a record fourth trophy in Munich, where he previously triumphed in 2017, 2018 and 2025.
On Saturday, Zverev will bid to maintain his unbeaten record against Cobolli, having defeated the Italian last year at Roland Garros and also in Halle. Earlier on Friday, the fourth-seeded Italian Cobolli had little trouble advancing to his maiden Munich semi-final. The World No. 16, already an ATP 500 champion this year in Acapulco, downed Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2.
