Alexander Zverev is in the round of 16 of the French Open. The chances of winning the title have increased again after the win against Quentin Halys – and not just because of their own game.
Top favorite Jannik Sinner was let down by his body, Grand Slam record champion Novak Djokovic felt the weight of advanced age, Carlos Alcaraz didn’t even appear at the French Open due to injury: three big favorites for the French Open title are no longer there after week one. Instead, the focus is on Alexander Zverev.
The Hamburg native won his match against the French Quentin Halys in four sets 6:4, 6:3, 5:7, 6:2 in the night session of the third round well after midnight. A simultaneously lackluster and deserved success.
In the run-up to the game, almost all experts had chosen the 29-year-old as the new top favorite for the title after Sinner’s exit. Number three in the world, strong on clay and in pretty good shape. There is actually something to be said for Zverev – if he sticks to himself.
Unspectacular and effective
At first there was hardly any sign of the increased pressure against Halys. The performance was not spectacular, by no means as exciting as the previous duel between Djokovic and the Brazilian shooting star Joao Fonseca, but largely effective. Zverev played against the 90th in the world, which should definitely be taken as praise.
Only in the third set did he wobble and no longer play as determinedly. The serve also didn’t come as usual. Halys extended the game accordingly by winning a set. In the fourth round, however, Zverev found his previous self-confidence against a bravely fighting opponent. In short: the dream of the first Grand Slam triumph is alive.
The duel with Jesper De Jong now awaits in the round of 16. The Dutchman is one of the big surprises at these Paris Games. First the world number 106 sent the Swiss Stan Wawrinka into French Open retirement, then on Friday he defeated the much better rated Russian Karen Khachanov.
Two respectable successes, no question. Nevertheless, Zverev is of course once again the favorite – for the next game and the rest of the tournament.
