Alexander Zverev is in the round of 16 at the French Open of tennis professionals in Paris after a four-set win. For Daniel Altmaier, on the other hand, the surprise run ended in the 3rd lap.
Zverev defeated the American Frances Tiafoe on Saturday (June 3rd, 2023) 3: 6, 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 1, 7: 6 (7: 5). In the 3:41 hours of play, Zverev experienced ups and downs. In the first set he conceded the first break to make it 3: 4 and gave up the set a service game later with a double fault. In the course of the second set, however, the German stabilized more and more. In the tie-break, Zverev quickly pulled away and won this round with a 7:3.
The strongest phase of the 26-year-old followed. With a safe serve, strong groundstrokes and the right touch in tight rallies, Zverev pulled away with two breaks and won round three in just 38 minutes 6-1. In round number four, Tiafoe served to win the set at a score of 5:3. But Zeverev got the break back and a little later in the tie-break with the first match point also victory.
Tired Daniel Altmaier fights in vain
Zverev’s next opponent is not compatriot Altmaier, but Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian clearly won against the German surprise in three sets. It was 6: 4, 6: 3, 6: 1 after 2:07 hours. Altmaier fought his way back into the game at times, but ultimately had nothing to oppose the class of play of the former top ten player Dimitrov. It was difficult emotionally and physically to process the previous five-set match. “At the end of the day, you’re only human and you can learn from it. Hopefully, if it becomes a reality week after week to play against these top guys, it will hopefully be natural,” said Altmaier.
Altmaier thus missed the repetition of the greatest success of his career, when he had also reached the round of 16 at the classic clay court in Paris in 2020. However, by entering round three in the world rankings, he will make a decent leap forward from 79th place.
Casper Ruud stays on course
In contrast, last year’s finalist Casper Ruud followed the top favorites Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic into the round of 16. The Norwegian won his third round game after initial difficulties against the Chinese Zhang Zhizhen 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 1, 6: 4. Ruud is fourth in the clay court classic in Paris.
In the quarterfinals there could be a duel with the 20-year-old Dane Holger Rune. Rune gave the Argentinian Genaro Alberto Olivieri 6: 4, 6: 1, 6: 3 no chance on the Philippe Chatrier court.
Favorite wins on Friday
On Friday, the top seeded Spaniard Alcaraz and Serbian Djokovic as well as Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece had already reached the top 16. Ruud lost last year’s final against Rafael Nadal in his 14th French Open triumph. The Spaniard is missing due to injury and had surgery on his left hip flexor on Friday evening.
Pütz and Kato in the quarterfinals
In the mixed competition, the German Davis Cup player Tim Puetz advanced to the quarterfinals with the Japanese Miyu Kato. The duo prevailed against Elixane Lechemia and Albano Olivetti from France 6:4, 6:4.
Pütz is also in doubles. With Kevin Krawietz he meets Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul from France in the round of 16.
Wimbledon champion Rybakina withdraws
Wimbledon winner Jelena Rybakina withdrew from her third round game at the French Open at short notice due to illness. The 23-year-old Kazakh did not play Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo as planned. She has a fever, Rybakina said at a press conference.
Rybakina explained that she had not felt well the day before and had hardly slept for two days. “It’s the right decision because it’s hard to play like that. I’m really sad but that’s life. I wanted to give 100 per cent and I’m far from 100 per cent.”