Under the golden Roman sun, Alexander Zverev, the world’s second-ranked tennis titan, launched his Italian Open title defense with a masterclass performance, dismantling Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-1 in a swift 66 minutes on Friday, May 9, 2025. The Foro Italico’s center court bore witness to Zverev’s relentless precision, as the German converted six break points and left the clay-court specialist grasping for answers. “In the big matches, the best players raise their level,” Zverev had said before the tournament, and he proved it with a display that reaffirmed his status as a clay-court colossus.
Zverev, the 2024 Rome champion, entered the match with a point to prove after a patchy season. A runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a title run in Munich showed his pedigree, but a recent fourth-round exit in Madrid against Francisco Cerundolo had raised eyebrows. Facing another Argentine in Carabelli, ranked 60th, Zverev was wary but unflappable. “I hate playing him, to be honest,” he’d quipped about Cerundolo, revealing a rare vulnerability against Argentine opponents, who’ve beaten him three times this year. Yet, against Carabelli, a first-time opponent, Zverev ensured history didn’t repeat itself, delivering a performance that was as clinical as it was commanding.
Carabelli, a 25-year-old making his main-draw debut in Rome, arrived with momentum from a gritty first-round win over Pablo Carreno Busta (6-2, 1-6, 6-3). His clay credentials—semifinal runs in Rio and Santiago, plus a Challenger title in Rosario—hinted at potential to trouble Zverev. But the German’s experience shone through. Zverev’s serve was a weapon, with a 68% first-serve win rate and just one double fault, while his aggressive net play and blistering groundstrokes overwhelmed Carabelli, who managed only four winners. “For the reigning champion of Rome, facing Carabelli is hardly a challenge,” pundits noted pre-match, and Zverev validated that sentiment, leaving no room for an upset.
The match unfolded with Zverev seizing control early. In the first set, he broke Carabelli twice, capitalizing on the Argentine’s 25% break-point conversion rate. The second set was even more one-sided, as Zverev raced to a 6-1 rout, wrapping up the contest with a flourish. Fans on social media buzzed about his dominance, with one post noting, “The defending champion was never going to be in danger in this one.” Zverev’s 23-1 record in Rome against non-top-five players only bolstered the narrative of his invincibility on these courts.
Beyond the scoreline, Zverev’s performance signaled his intent to reclaim the Italian Open crown and build momentum for Roland Garros. His 24-6 career record in Rome, including titles in 2017 and 2024, underscores his affinity for the tournament. “Zverev is a two-time champion,” commentators remarked, highlighting his edge over a field thinned by withdrawals from former world number twos like Daniil Medvedev. His next challenge comes against Vilius Gaubas, a Lithuanian qualifier ranked 154th, who made history as the first from his nation to reach a Masters 1000 third round. “He should do well here,” analysts predicted, citing Zverev’s favorable draw.
For Carabelli, the loss marked a tough end to a promising Rome debut. Despite flashes of brilliance, his cautious game couldn’t match Zverev’s firepower. “Flojito Camilo Ugo Carabelli tonight, only four winners,” one observer lamented online. Yet, his journey from lucky loser in Miami to main-draw contender in Rome showcases his potential. For Zverev, this was a statement: the defending champion is locked in, ready to chase a third Rome title and silence doubters after a season of highs and lows.
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