For a long time it looked as if Alexander Zverev would have to say goodbye to this year’s French Open surprisingly early. But then the tennis Olympic champion found himself again.
Alexander Zverev only averted the threatening second-round knockout at the French Open with great difficulty. The third in the world rankings from Hamburg defeated the sometimes furious Argentinian Sebastian Baez on Wednesday thanks to a clear increase in performance from the third set 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2, 7: 5.
“It was an incredible match,” said Zverev: “You don’t always play great. But I just fought, found my rhythm and I’m happy to still be in the tournament.”
Zverev sometimes dominated opponents at will
Zverev was thus spared another setback in what has been a very mixed season so far, in which he has not yet been able to win a title. The Olympic champion can continue the hunt for his first Grand Slam trophy, his next opponent will be determined in the duel between the American Brandon Nakashima and the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
In the first two sets, Baez dominated the action at times almost at will, but Zverev then increased significantly and played much more aggressively. The fifth set was hard fought. Zverev fended off a match ball and still prevailed.