Top Seed Alexander Zverev Blows Comfortable Lead To Lose In Rio Open Quarter-Finals
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Alexander Zverev seemed to be cruising in the third set of his quarter-final match at the 2025 Rio Open, but he lost a comfortable lead and lost the match.
Zverev lost already in his quarter-final match at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. Since that was an ATP 250 event, he had to win only one match to get to the quarter-final stage, as he had a first-round bye as the top seed.
In Rio, the German player couldn't enjoy a first-round bye, which is why he had to win two matches to get to the quarter-finals, but he managed to do that.
Without Holger Rune in the draw, Zverev was the big favorite to win the title in Brazil, but there was one man who wanted to stop him. His quarter-final opponent was Francisco Comesana, ranked 86th in the world.
Comesana beat Gustavo Heide and Nicolas Jarry to reach the quarter-finals in Rio, and he needed three sets to beat both of his opponents. Zverev was the Argentinian's highest-ever opponent and only the second Top 10 player he has ever played.
In his first match against a Top 10 player, Comesana beat Andrey Rublev 6-4,5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5) at last year's Wimbledon. He wanted to follow up on that win against Zverev, but he knew it wouldn't be easy.
The top seed started the match better, breaking in the opening game, and even though he lost that advantage in the fourth game and even fell behind 2-3, he was able to regain it and win the first set of the match 6-4.
But Comesana was ready to fight back in the second set of the match. The Argentinian player played almost a flawless set. He didn't face any break points until the moment when he was already up by a break and served for the set.
The World No. 86 player broke his opponent's serve at 3-2, and at 5-3, he served to set the match into the decider. Comesana had to save two break points, and after converting his fourth set point, he won the second set 6-3.
But it seemed like he ran out of steam in the third set. Zverev was in complete control. The German player won 12 of the first 16 points, leading 3-0. After two more games, the three-time Grand Slam finalist was up 4-1.
That's when his opponent started an incredible comeback. Comesana won 22 of the next 27 rallies, which was an incredible feat, considering that Zverev seemed to be in full control of the match.
Comesana won five games in a row, completely turning the third set around to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 Rio Open. For Zverev, on the other hand, his Golden Swing ended with a second quarter-final loss.
