Zverev Edges Griekspoor In Epic Four-Hour French Open Classic
Alexander Zverev has secured his place in the fourth round of the French Open following a thrilling five-set victory over Tallon Griekspoor. The match, which lasted four hours and 17 minutes, saw Zverev triumph 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-3) on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Zverev will now face either Holger Rune or Jozef Kovalik in the last 16. The world number four initially struggled, losing the first set but managed to bounce back to take a 2-1 lead. However, Griekspoor mounted a strong comeback in the fourth set, which lasted nearly an hour.
The decider saw Zverev broken in the first game, leading to visible frustration as he yelled at the umpire. Despite being broken again, Zverev responded with two breaks of his own, leveling the score at 4-4 and eventually forcing a tie-break.
In the tie-break, Zverev's play at the net proved crucial. A notable passing shot past Griekspoor was a highlight before he clinched victory with an ace. This win marks Zverev's ninth consecutive match victory on clay in ATP events.
Having warmed up for Roland Garros by winning the Italian Open, Zverev has now achieved nine straight wins on clay for the first time since 2018. During that year, he won 13 consecutive matches on clay at Munich, Madrid, and Rome.
| Event | Year | Consecutive Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Munich-Madrid-Rome | 2018 | 13 |
| Italian Open-Roland Garros | 2024 | 9 |
Zverev's current form suggests he is gathering momentum as he progresses through Roland Garros. His performance against Griekspoor demonstrated resilience and skill under pressure, qualities that will be crucial as he advances further in the tournament.
9 - Alexander Zverev has won nine consecutive matches on clay in ATP events for the first time since winning 13 between Munich-Madrid-Rome in 2018. Fighter. #rolandgarros | @rolandgarros @atptour pic.twitter.com/NR14jgHVCR
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 1, 2024
Zverev's next match will be closely watched as he aims to continue his winning streak and advance further in one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments.
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