French Open: Opponent puts on: Zverev in Paris now against Djokovic

Before the very big opponents were waiting for Alexander Zverev at the French Open, Germany’s best tennis player had a short working day again. In the round of 16 against the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor, Zverev was only 51 minutes on the pitch, then his opponent had to give up due to an abdominal muscle injury at 6: 4, 3: 0 from the perspective of German.

So Zverev was able to protect strength-and it will also need them, because now the program for the 28-year-old is becoming a gear on the first way to the first Grand Slam title. Novak Djokovic is waiting in the quarter -finals on Wednesday. The record-Grand Slam champion won its round of 16 against the British Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6: 3, 6: 2 and celebrated its 100th victory in the Stade Roland Garros. Only the 14-time Paris champion Rafael Nadal celebrated more victories at the French Open (112).

Zverev expects strong Djokovic

“It will be a difficult match, a hard fight where we both will be prepared for it. I’m looking forward to it,” Zverev said to the explosive duel with Djokovic. For Zverev, the fact that the Serb has received an unusually large number of defeats this year and occasionally has to deal with health problems. “Novak has won 24 Grand Slam tournaments. He will never be an outsider.”

After his short assignment against Griekspoor, Zverev first moved to the training ground. The 28-year-old hit Court 10 a few balls, the rest of the day he just wanted to spend in the hotel. For Zverev it is the fifth Paris quarter-finals in series.

Should Zverev prevail against Djokovic, it could then be against the world ranking of Jannik Sinner and in a possible final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. “I think from now on I have the most difficult draw that you can imagine,” said Zverev. “I am looking forward to the battles with the big ones and will try to win all three games.”

His round of 16 opponents was bitterly disappointed. “It happened this morning when it was imported,” said Griekspoor frustrated. “I tried it because it was one of the most important matches of my career on one of the most beautiful courts against a player who actually suits me,” said Griekspoor.

But it quickly became clear that the Dutch was not competitive and opened more and more slowly. “It is difficult to win against him when I’m fit. If not, it makes no sense, he is too good for that,” said Griekspoor. “Of course it helped that he couldn’t open normally,” admitted Zverev.

Becker has pity with Griekspoor

Tennis legend Boris Becker showed compassion with the Dutch. “This is a very difficult injury because you need the abdominal muscles at every blow. I hope that he will soon get well again,” said Becker as an expert at Eurosport. That Zverev continued in this way was that way. “He doesn’t care now. He was not tested today and now has a longer afternoon.”

In the second largest stadium of the complex on the Court Suzanne Lenglen, Zverev only initially had a few problems. The 28-year-old got off to a weak start and immediately gave up his first service game. Zverev was exposed early by the Dutch with a few stops, worked dissatisfied and struggled with his team on the stands.

Zverev swallows fly

But then the world ranking in third place found its focus and made up for the early 0: 3 again. Griekspoor repeatedly reached the abdominal muscle during the breaks. A large pavement became visible during jersey replacement.

Zverev could not be stopped by a little shock. At 2: 3, 15:15, the native of Hamburg swallowed a fly and got a small coughing fit. Zverev had to stop his service and run to his chair to drink a sip of water.

Then returned to the pitch and hit an ace. “It doesn’t taste so good, but it should maybe make it more often if an ace comes afterwards,” said Becker during the live broadcast.