Alexander Zverev overcome inspired opposition from Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday, defeating the Spaniard, 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0).

The top seed, who is yet to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal in 2025, argued numerous calls at the Caja Magica, which has adapted electronic line calling, but rallied from a set and a break down to reach the fourth round on Manolo Santana Stadium.

Zverev has won twice in Madrid, most recently in 2021, but has struggled at big tournaments since finishing runner-up to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open back in February. Competing for the No. 1 ranking in the absence of Sinner, who has been serving a three-month suspension for an anti-doping violation, appeared to take its toll on the German, who won just six matches between Melbourne and the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, where he lost in three sets to Matteo Berrettini.