World number four Alexander Zverev battled through a grueling match to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6(3) in the third round of the French Open on Saturday, keeping his hopes alive for his first Grand Slam title.
Zverev, a semi-finalist in the past three years, had not lost a set in his previous two matches, including a first-round victory over Rafa Nadal. However, he found himself on the defensive as the Dutch 26th seed claimed the first set.
In the second set, when Zverev was leading 5-4, he finally managed to break Griekspoor’s serve, leveling the match. He then cruised through the third set, and when Griekspoor took a medical timeout, it seemed like Zverev would have no trouble closing out the victory. However, the Dutch 27-year-old fought back and forced a deciding set, taking a 4-1 lead with two breaks of serve. But Zverev staged an impressive comeback, winning four consecutive games.
Griekspoor showed great composure to push for a tiebreak, but after an enthralling match that lasted over four hours on Court Philippe Chatrier, it was Zverev who sealed the victory with an ace in the tiebreak.
