Zverev's exit from Rome: A setback for the French Open hopes
After a strong opening set, the German collapses. Darderi celebrates surprise coup.
Alexander Zverev was surprisingly eliminated in the round of 16 at the ATP Masters in Rome. The German lost to Italian outsider Luciano Darderi 6:2, 3:6, 4:6. After a dominant first set, Zverev's performance collapsed in the following rounds.
The fifth in the world rankings initially showed his class and confidently won the first set 6:2. But then he increasingly lost his rhythm. Darderi, who started the tournament with a wild card, took advantage of the favorite's weak phase and turned the game around.
