Alexander Zverev seemed completely perplexed, the top German player frustrated his father and then got up to an exhausting comeback victory: the tennis Olympic champion has the impending second round k.-o. averted at the French Open with great effort. The world ranking third from Hamburg and fellow favorite fought the initially furious Argentinian Sebastian Baez on Wednesday thanks to his strong physique in the end with 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2, 7: 5. Zverev also had to ward off a match ball.
Another early Grand Slam disappointment was defended at the last moment.
At the beginning, Zverev showed a desolate performance for two sentences, did not find his game at all and was duped by the Argentinian. The 25-year-old German did not look fresh, unfocused and made numerous simple mistakes. The professional began to discuss Mosern early on and with his father in the stands. The windy conditions on the court Philippe Chatrier also didn’t seem to be comfortable. Zverev gave the first set after only 34 minutes.
After that, Germany’s number 1 fought back impressively and made it 2-2 with two strong sets. In the decisive round, however, Zverev was again a break at the back and even had to ward off a match ball at the end. After 3:36 hours, Zverev then converted his first match ball on his own.
“You can’t play worse than in the first one and a half sentences. I am happy that I was able to turn the thing in the end.”
Alexander Zverev
“It was an incredible match,” Zverev said afterwards in the mandatory interview in the field. “You don’t always play great. But I just fought, found my rhythm and I am happy to be in the tournament.” And further: “You can’t play worse than in the first one and a half sentences. I am happy that I was able to turn the thing in the end.”
Petkovic’s last Paris appearance?
Zverev, who now meets the American Brandon Nakashima or the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor, and Angelique Kerber are the last two remaining German professionals in the field, since Andrea Petkovic is 1: 6, 6: 7 (3: 7). on the former world ranking Viktoria Asarenka. For Petkovic it was possibly the last appearance on the Ashes of Paris.
“It’s really difficult to say,” said the 34-year-old. “If it were dependent on my will, I would still play for ten years.” At the end of the season she had to listen to her body.
Meanwhile, Kerber continues to live her joy in tennis. “If you have won everything, you only play because of the love for sport. And I love Tennis,” said Kerber in the winner’s face when asked by the former Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli, why she was still on the age of 34 Tour is on the way.
