What Alexander Zverev was spotted doing very late in the evening after winning his first round match in Argentina
Alexander Zverev Makes South American Clay Debut in 2025
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev is embracing a new challenge in 2025, opting to compete on the South American clay swing for the first time in his career. The German made a bold decision to skip hard-court events such as the Rotterdam Open and Qatar Open, instead focusing on clay tournaments in preparation for the season ahead.
Zverev, who suffered a 3-6, 6-7, 3-6 defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, is looking to bounce back in Buenos Aires.
Zverev Advances to Quarter-Finals in Buenos Aires
Kicking off his campaign at the Argentina Open, Zverev secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, moving into the quarter-finals without much trouble.
Despite spending just 1 hour and 30 minutes on the court, the 27-year-old showed his commitment to improvement—training late into the night after his match. Footage surfaced online of Zverev practicing at 10 PM, impressing fans with his dedication.
“Such dedication, he deserves a Grand Slam,” one fan commented.
“I have no doubt he’s preparing for Roland Garros,” another added.
Match Statistics: Zverev vs. Lajovic
| Player | Aces | Double Faults | 1st Serve % | 1st Serve Points Won % | 2nd Serve Points Won % | Break Points Conversion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Zverev | 6 | 4 | 71% | 80% | 39% | 43% |
| Dusan Lajovic | 4 | 2 | 75% | 64% | 35% | 25% |
Zverev’s second serve remains an area for improvement, as he won just 39% of points behind it.
Tough Quarter-Final Test Against Francisco Cerundolo
Zverev’s next challenge is a quarter-final clash against Francisco Cerundolo, the local favorite. The Argentine is in top form, having won his first two matches without dropping a set.
Cerundolo booked his spot in the quarter-finals by defeating his brother, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 6-2, 6-3. He has also beaten Zverev before, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the 2024 Madrid Open.
The 26-year-old has proven himself on clay, reaching four ATP finals on the surface:
| Tournament | Result | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Croatia Open | Win | Lorenzo Musetti | 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2023 Lyon Open | Loss | Arthur Fils | 3-6, 5-7 |
| 2022 Swedish Open | Win | Sebastian Baez | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2021 Argentina Open | Loss | Diego Schwartzman | 1-6, 2-6 |
Cerundolo captured his third ATP title last year by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in the Croatia Open final.
Argentina Open Heats Up
Zverev, Cerundolo, and Musetti are the only three seeded players remaining in the 2025 Argentina Open, after several top contenders fell early. Second seed Holger Rune was eliminated by Mariano Navone, ending his Buenos Aires campaign on Thursday.
Zverev and Cerundolo will battle for a spot in the semi-finals, while Musetti takes on Pedro Martinez on Friday, February 14.
With top players in contention, the Argentina Open promises an exciting finish. Can Zverev continue his quest for clay-court dominance?
