6:6 (6: 4) Zverev really has the set win on a silver platter in front of him, but puts a stop on the net out.
6:6 (6:3) Nadal responds with an ace.
6:6 (6: 2) The opponents play the ball over the net from a central position 20 times, then Zverev sets a strong crossball, because Nadal hits the net again.
6:6 (5: 2) Strong ball from Zverev. After sending Nadal into the corner with a powerful serve, a powerful crossball follows as Nadel fails to return over the net.
6:6 (4: 2) Zverev clenches his fist! Again, the ball goes back and forth several times. Then Nadal hits the felt ball in the net. It’s looking good for Zverev now.
6:6 (3: 2) Zverev takes the lead again and Nadal struggles.
6:6 (2: 2) But Nadal also has problems. After the Spaniard serves well, he hits a forehand with full force into the net.
6:6 (1:2) It was bitter before Zverev: instead of taking the lead, he made a mistake.
6:6 (1: 1) But Zverev answers unimpressed and equalizes.
6:6 (0:1) Nadal starts the tie-break well and takes the lead straight away.
6:6 Zverev brings his “service” through thanks to powerful serves. After 40: 0 Nadal scores two points, but a net roller secured Zverev the game and thus the tie-break.
5:6 It’s getting tighter and tighter. As in the previous game, it goes back and forth several times after the debut, but in the end Nadal serves through with some problems. The audience in Paris really cannot complain about a lack of excitement.
5:5 What a spectacular service game by Zverev. It goes back and forth. But the German fights through, repels several set balls and ultimately gets his serve through. However, the Spaniard’s strong returns are causing him noticeable problems.
4:5 Suddenly the situation is completely different. After Zverev has dominated so far, Nadal is slowly getting the match under control. The German is increasingly at odds with himself.
4:4 Break Nadal! Everything is open again. Zverev wobbles on serve and is now 15:30 behind. Then Nadal uses his second breakball and takes the serve from the German. Bitter for Zverev: With a safe winning shot, which would actually have meant “advantage”, the racket slips out of his hand and the ball goes straight into the net from one meter.
4:3 Nadal stays tuned. Thanks to powerful statements, he gets through his service game without a counterpoint.
4:2 Zverev’s strong service game. With a precise forehand he increases to 4:2. The German has clearly dominated so far. An indication of this: In the direct wins, the “winners”, he is 11:1 ahead.
3:2 Nadal has now fully recognized the seriousness of the situation, plays very concentrated and gets through his service game humorlessly. He benefits from powerful serves, there is no long back and forth in this game.