Unstoppable serve: Zverev dismantles Berrettini to reach round of 32 at Indian Wells
The German world No. 4 loses just six service points in a clinical straight-sets (6-3, 6-4) masterclass, inching closer to an elusive first Indian Wells semi-final.
Alexander Zverev, Indian Wells 2025 | © Tristan Lapierre / Tennis Majors
Alexander Zverev launched his 2026 BNP Paribas Open campaign with a statement of intent on Friday evening, overpowering Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-4. On a windy Stadium 1 court that has historically troubled his timing, the German delivered one of his most efficient serving performances to date, requiring only 72 minutes to dispatch the former Wimbledon finalist.
“I am very happy with the start”, Zverev said during his on-court interview. “I felt like I was hitting the ball extremely clean from the first game. This tournament is the only one of its kind I haven’t had a deep run in, so that is definitely the goal this week.”
6 points lost on his serve!
The hallmark of the encounter was Zverev’s absolute authority on serve. The 28-year-old No. 4 seed conceded a staggering total of only six points on his delivery across both sets, spanning both first and second serves. Berrettini, usually a formidable returner with his aggressive forehand, was left searching for answers, failing to generate a single break point opportunity throughout the match.
While the 29-year-old Berrettini (now world No. 66) entered the contest buoyed by a gritty three-set win over Adrian Mannarino, he was unable to withstand Zverev’s baseline depth. The German secured three breaks of serve to improve his perfect hard-court head-to-head record against the Italian to 3-0.
Never reached the semis
With this victory, Zverev moves to 164 career match wins at the ATP Masters 1000 level. He now stands in an elite bracket; among active players, only Novak Djokovic (418) and Stan Wawrinka (166) have recorded more wins in this category.
Remarkably, Indian Wells remains the only Masters 1000 tournament where Zverev has never reached the semi-finals. Having never progressed past the quarter-finals in the California desert, his current form suggests he is a primary contender to break that streak in 2026.
Zverev advances to the round of 32, where he awaits the winner of the match between American Brandon Nakashima (No. 28 seed) and Argentinian Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
