Alexander Zverev is not a good start to the match against Tallon Griekspoor. But then the round of 16 takes a completely different course.
Alexander Zverev is among the last eight at the French Open in Paris. Germany’s best tennis player benefited in the round of 16 on Monday from the injury -related task of his opponent Tallon Griekspoor at 6: 4, 3: 0 from Zverev’s perspective in the second set. In the quarter-finals on Wednesday, the Hamburger now meets the winner from the game of record-Grand slam winner Novak Djoković and the British Cameron Norrie.
For Zverev it was an encounter with his constant opponent: for the seventh time since March 2024, he met Griekspoor, which he had only defeated in the third round at the French Open last year in the tie -break of the decision sentence.
In contrast to his best tournament performance so far in the smooth third -round victory over Flavio Cobolli, Zverev started the match, lost his first service game and was quickly 0: 3 behind. From then on he was wide awake, won five games in a row and after 35 minutes the first set. After that, nothing worked with the Dutch.
The match for reading in the ticker:
Alexander Zverev 6: 4, 3: 0 Tallon Griekspoor
2nd set, 6: 4, 3: 0 – and that was it: Griekspoor calls the doctor in the interruption. After a short interview, it is clear: the Dutch gives up after only 51 minutes. There is a comforting hug from Zverev, the German stands prematurely in the quarter -finals of the French Open.
2nd set, 6: 4, 3: 0 – Significant: Griekspoor comes to the net, only needs to complete the volley – and smash it into the net. Then the next forehand ends up in the end, and Zverev has three break balls. He already uses the first.
2nd set, 6: 4, 2: 0 – This is going very quickly for Zverev: he is now dominating with his serve. A service winner, and it is 40: 0. Griekspoor then succeeds in a strong backhand longline, his first success in this match for a long time. But Zverev counters with the next serve winner.
2nd set, 6: 4, 1: 0 – Start to measure for the German: Zverev secures the break directly at the beginning of sentence two. But with Griekspoor, the shape curve seems to go down significantly. Hardly a rallies that he can still make balanced, again and again he can no longer bring Zverev’s strokes back. This will also be noticed by the world ranking list.
1st set, 6: 4 – at 30: 0 Zverev tries it himself with a stop – but Griekspoor suspects that and counters with a passenger ball. But the Dutch is now too many mistakes – also because the German plays more powerfully, appears fitter, appears more present. A service winner and he has two set balls. Griekspoor ends up directly at the first, and this first sentence is history.
Alexander Zverev worked into this match and made a 0: 3 deficit completely deserved in a 6: 4. Even if everything is not running perfectly, a pleasant game for the Hamburger.
1st set, 5: 4 – Despite visible problems, the Dutch stays in the match. Zverev is unnecessarily struggling with the surcharge of Griekspoor – with less than 170 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, Zverev ends up in the return. He makes it difficult for himself. Now he is opening up to the set.
1st set, 5: 3 – Zverev now completely controls this match. He brings his service to zero. Griekspoor seems struck, seems to have problems with the abdominal muscles.
1st set, 4: 3 – Griekspoor has currently lost the first momentum from the start of the match. The Dutch can only bring a strong return from Zverev into the network. But then Zverev undermines a frame goal for 30:30. But now he moves much better, takes control again in the following rallies, forced the next mistake – and has the chance of the next break. But Griekspoor puts tie – of course with a stop. However, Zverev cannot be put off, and his returns always poses problems with his returns. And gets his opponent’s impact game because he does not get over the net for the first time with a stop. Game shot.