Olympic champion Alexander Zverev only averts the threatening second-round knockout at the French Open with great difficulty. The third in the world rankings from Hamburg defeated the sometimes furious Argentinian Sebastian Baez on Wednesday thanks to a clear increase in performance from the third set 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2, 7: 5.
Zverev is thus spared another setback in what has been a very mixed season so far, in which he has not yet been able to win a title. He can continue the hunt for his first Grand Slam trophy, his next opponent will be determined in the duel between the American Brandon Nakashima and the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
In the first two sets, Baez temporarily dominates the action almost at will, but Zverev then increases significantly and plays much more aggressively. The fifth set is hard fought. Zverev fends off a match ball and still prevails.
Djokovic beats ex-coach protégé
World number 1 Novak Djokovic (35) is also one round ahead. The Serb wins in three sets against Slovakian Alex Molcan (24, ATP 38) 6: 2, 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 4). In the third round, Djokovic meets Slovenian Aljaz Bedene (32, ATP 195).
Djokovic remains in his second mission without losing a set. However, the defending champion and world number one has to insert a small additional loop in the third set after a break advantage in the win against the Slovakian Molcan, who is coached by his ex-coach Marian Vajda.
Alcaraz averts Out
Carlos Alcaraz escapes an early end at the French Open in extremis. The 19-year-old shooting star of the scene, who is electrifying crowds of spectators worldwide, is about to be eliminated against his compatriot Albert Ramos-Viñolas (ATP 44) in the fourth set before he turns things around and scores 6: 1, 6: 7 ( 7:9), 5:7, 7:6 (7:2), 6:4 prevails.
Ramos-Viñolas served to win when the score was 5-4 and also got a match point. But his first serve lands inches off the line, and after the second he makes a slight forehand error.
Alcaraz, who won four tournaments this year and is unbeaten in twelve games, makes mistakes in sets 2, 3 and 4, especially with the backhand. In addition, he is inefficient when using the breakballs, of which he has a total of 31. After more than four and a half hours, he still passed the maturity test.
Wawrinka conqueror has no chance against Nadal
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal became the third player after Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to reach the mark of 300 matches won at Grand Slam level on Wednesday without any problems.
The Spaniard beats Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who beat Stan Wawrinka in the first round, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. Next, Nadal meets Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP 29). The 26-year-old won his Grand Slam games three and four in Paris in the last few days.
Five top 10 players out
For Emma Raducanu (19, WTA 12), the French Open is over after the second round. The Briton is defeated by the Belarusian Alyaksandra Sasnowitsch (28, WTA 47) 6: 3, 1: 6, 1: 6. Since her surprise win at the US Open last year, Raducanu has not reached a single semifinal. She also failed in the second round at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Germany’s Andrea Petkovic is also out after beating Viktoria Asarenka 1:6, 6:7. Azarenka is Jil Teichmann’s next opponent.
With Maria Sakkari, the fifth top 10 player fails on the fourth day of Roland Garros. Last year’s semi-finalist from Athens lost to the world number 81. Karolina Muchova 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (4-7). Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova (WTA 2), Anett Kontaveit (WTA 5), Ons Jabeur (WTA 6) and Garbiñe Muguruza (WTA 10) have already eliminated the number 3 in the world. (AFP/SDA)