French Open
Alexander Zverev has to fight – but gets the break
Updated May 24, 2026 – 2:43 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Alexander Zverev wants to reach for the title at the French Open. At the start he has to compete against a Frenchman.
Germany’s tennis star Alexander Zverev is making another attempt at his first Grand Slam title at the French Open. With defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing due to injury, the chance is greater than ever. At the start, the 29-year-old first has to compete against local hero Benjamin Bonzi. Follow the match in the live ticker:
Alexander Zverev – Benjamin Bonzi 5:3
Zverev – Bonzi 5:3: Bonzi starts with two double faults, then Zverev sends a backhand return into the net before Bonzi makes the next double fault and gives Zverev two set points. At 15:40, Zverev’s stop attempt gets stuck in the net, then Bonzi takes his debut with a forehand winner. With two backhand errors, Zverev gives Bonzi the 5:3.
Zverev – Bonzi 5:2: Zverev makes it 30-0 in a flash and then plays a complicated overhead ball onto the line. A backhand error from Bonzi brings the game to a fast pace. It’s 5:2!
Zverev – Bonzi 4:2: Bonzi quickly makes it 15:0, but with a strong forehand and a smash, Zverev makes it 15:15. With two errors, Zverev gives Bonzi the 40:15, but a cracking forehand and a forehand error from the Frenchman mean his debut. Zverev makes a forehand error, but then forces Bonzi to make a backhand error as well. Zverev gets the breakball and Bonzi makes a wild forehand error. The break for Zverev!
Zverev – Bonzi 3:2: Zverev shows two stops and quickly makes it 40:15 on his own serve. But then he makes two mistakes and has to go over for the first time. He gains the advantage with a serve and volley, then has to make another deuce, but manages to close the game in his second attempt.
Zverev – Bonzi 2:2: A forehand error from Bonzi brings Zverev the first point, but then the German also hits a forehand with just the frame. Zverev opens the field with a stop, but then puts his forehand into the net. The Frenchman makes it 40:15, but Zverev delicately places a backhand slice on the line. But then Bonzi closes the game.
Zverev – Bonzi 2:1: Zverev quickly secured the first point, his attack on the net was somewhat unsuccessful, but a mistake by the Frenchman still made it 30-0. Zverev made it 40-0 with a serve-and-volley and a forehand error from Bonzi made it 2-1.
Zverev – Bonzi 1:1: Bonzi also begins his own serve game with a backhand error, but after a longer rally, a Zverev backhand also turns out to be too long. The Frenchman is lucky that a backhand slice from the edge of the net falls into Zverev’s half of the court and is therefore given the score of 30:15. Another slight mistake means the 30:30. Zverev can’t get a backhand stop and a forehand on the line brings the Frenchman 1-1.
