Germany’s tennis star Alexander Zverev fought his way into the round of 16 at the ATP Masters in Paris.
The Tokyo Olympic champion, who will only play at the ATP Finals in Turin this year following the tournament in the French capital, routinely won 7:6 (7:2), 6:3 against the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor .
It was Zverev’s 62nd win this season, meaning the Hamburg native further extended his record. Nevertheless, he has “only” one tournament victory (Rome) to his credit so far in 2024. The world number three’s battery is practically empty after several injuries and illnesses, which is why on Monday he was “forced” to cancel his participation in the Davis Cup finals in Malaga at the end of November.
A few more matches are to be added, especially since Zverev is the best-placed player in the ATP rankings in his half of the tournament in Paris after industry leader Jannik Sinner was canceled due to illness (gastrointestinal virus).
Tennis: Alexander Zverev struggled at first
However, the French Open finalist initially had some trouble against Griekspoor, whom he defeated for the fourth time this year in the fourth duel: Zverev had to fend off three break points and one set point in the first round, but the 27-year-old was fully there in the tiebreak . He maintained this form in the second set and the match was decided after 1:31 hours.
In the round of 16 on Thursday, Zverev will face local hero Arthur Fils, who defeated the Hamburg native in the final of his home tournament at Rothenbaum in the summer. The world number 20 from France beat Warsteiner Jan-Lennard Struff 6:3, 6:4 on Wednesday afternoon. Struff missed eight break chances in the first set.
