Alexander Zverev Reaches French Open Fourth Round After Five-Set Thriller
Zverev Comes Back From the Brink to Defeat Griekspoor
A Nervy Battle in the French Capital
Alexander Zverev's Roland Garros title hopes were hanging by a thread on Saturday, but the world number four survived a marathon match to beat Tallon Griekspoor 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-63 in the French Open third round.
The German fourth seed was on the brink of crashing out of the tournament when he fell two sets to one behind against the 26th-seeded Dutchman. But Zverev showed his fighting spirit to come back and win a tight fifth set.
Zverev had two chances to get back to 1-1 but fluffed them both. And his mood darkened further when Griekspoor teased him with slices and delicate drop shots that seemed to float over the net with ease.
But Zverev refused to give up. He controlled the fourth set and broke early in the decider. Griekspoor got back on level terms but Zverev would not be denied. He broke again in the 12th game and served out for victory.
Zverev admitted that he was "lucky" to win the match. "I was two sets to one down and I was not playing well," he said. "But I fought my way back and I'm happy to be through.
Zverev's victory sets up a fourth-round clash with Russian Andrey Rublev. Rublev is also in good form, having won his last five matches. The pair have met three times before, with Zverev winning twice.
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