Alexander Zverev watched the Champions League final on the couch. Nothing and nobody should currently distract Germany’s best tennis players from their big goal of finally winning the first Grand Slam title at the French Open in Paris.
The Olympic champion also decided not to visit the Stade de France, where Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0. “It’s just too late,” Zverev had said in advance. After all, Zverev is about to reach the quarter-finals this Sunday at the Stade Roland Garros.
Qualified as an opponent
The 25-year-old meets Spanish qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the third game after 11:00 (Eurosport). In the event of a win, Zverev could then face tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard plays Russia’s Karen Khachanov in his round of 16 on Sunday evening game.
Against the largely unknown Zapata Miralles, Zverev should not be particularly challenged again. “To be honest, I don’t know very much about him,” admitted the third in the world rankings. “He’s having the week of his life here and is playing great tennis. I’ll have to be in top form to beat him,” said Zverev about the world number 131.
He was still a bit away from that in Paris. Nevertheless, Zverev was satisfied with his development in the tournament. “I think I’m on the right track,” said Zverev. The fact that he continues to stay a little under the radar may even suit him quite well. “I think he’s in a good position,” said German Davis Cup team boss Michael Kohlmann.