What is the formula to dominate an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event? Just ask Alexander Zverev.
Zverev didn't just dominate the 2018 Mutua Madrid Open. The World No. 3 thoroughly annihilated the field en route to his third Masters 1000 crown and first in the Spanish capital.
No breaks surrended in 48 service games. Only one break point faced throughout the tournament. And a total of zero sets lost. Zverev put a bow on a perfect week with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Dominic Thiem on Sunday, blasting past his Austrian rival without pause.
The 21-year-old admits that while it was a flawless performance in the Caja Mágica, it's one that he expects from himself.
"I didn't get broken one time," Zverev told the assembled media following the match. "And I didn't face break points in the whole tournament. For me, this is an amazing stat to know in the back of my mind. When serving for a title like this, especially against Dominic, who is one of the best returners, especially on this surface. All in all, I'm just really happy with how I played, that I could win my third Masters.
"So far it's been pretty good for me on clay this year. Hopefully I can continue this kind of streak in Rome. Obviously the altitude fits me a little bit with my serve, with how I play, with me playing a little bit more aggressive than others. That definitely fits me. But I just feel confident and comfortable right now."
Also the champion on home soil in Munich last week, Zverev has now won 18 consecutive sets, making a significant statement to the rest of the ATP World Tour. And as he attempts to defend another title next week in Rome, it is hard to argue against him securing yet another Masters 1000 crown in the Italian metropolis.
Last year, Zverev surged past Novak Djokovic at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Now, he will have to navigate a tricky field that includes an in-form Juan Martin del Potro, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Kyle Edmund in his quarter of the draw. Nadal and Thiem could potentially await in the championship.
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"The last 10 days have been pretty good, winning two titles in this time," Zverev added. "One in Germany, and this one here is massive. It's been unbelievable. I'm not going to lie. I'm just going to do everything I can to continue this kind of streak, get the performance I had here in Rome.
"Before [Roland Garros], there's Rome where I'm the defending champion. Obviously I have a lot of motivation to do well there. I'm going to do the best I can to prepare myself for there, see how it goes."
As the World No. 3 targets a deep run in The Eternal City and beyond, we could be seeing many more selfie trophy shots in the months to come.