Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Beijing match.
Alexander Zverev opens his Beijing campaign against Lorenzo Sonego, a player he has dominated in the past with a 5:0 head-to-head record. Still, most of those matches have been competitive, with Sonego keeping the margin within four games on four occasions.
Lorenzo Sonego
Sonego’s recent form suggests he can push top opponents hard. This season he has taken sets off the likes of Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton and even Zverev himself. He thrives in longer battles, with eight of his last 10 three-set matches going over 21.5 games. His serve is a major weapon – winning 73% of points behind his first delivery and averaging eight aces per match.
Alexander Zverev
The German remains the favourite, but his hard-court season has been underwhelming. From eight events Zverev has not managed a title, falling not only to top players like Taylor Fritz, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but also to names outside the top 30 such as Learner Tien and Tallon Griekspoor. His Beijing record is shaky too: in his last five matches here since 2023, Alexander has dropped at least a set each time, with five of six contests featuring a tie-break. Coming straight from Laver Cup duty, he may also be less settled than Sonego, who has had more time to adjust to the Asian swing.
Lorenzo Sonego vs Alexander Zverev Prediction
Zverev’s superior record gives him the edge, but all signs point to another close encounter. Sonego’s serve and fighting spirit should keep him competitive, and covering the handicap looks highly realistic.
