Alexander Zverev avoids shock exit to ‘unbelievably dangerous’ Tallon Griekspoor
By Andy Sims, PA, Paris
Alexander Zverev came though a five-set marathon to reach the fourth round of the French Open.
The German fourth seed was on the brink of a shock exit after falling a break down in the final set against Dutch world number 26 Tallon Griekspoor.
He cut a frustrated figure as he argued with umpire Marijana Veljovic over a line call after Griekspoor secured the break with a volley.
Respect the grind at Roland-Garros 🤝 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fJ7wiDiFWv
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2024
But Zverev hit back to force a deciding set tie-break and finished with an ace to register a 3-6 9-4 6-2 4-6 7-6 (3) victory.
“Incredible match, incredible player, unbelievably dangerous. I don’t like to play against him. Credit to him,” said Zverev.
It was Zverev’s first match since a trial over domestic abuse allegations against him – which he denies – opened in Berlin on Friday.
Daniil Medvedev wore a pair of black leggings as he won a tight third-round match against Tomas Machac.
The Russian fifth seed sported the long-legged Lycra under his shorts and socks in a bid to ward off the chilly Paris temperatures.
He soon warmed to his task, though, wrapping up a 7-6 (4) 7-5 victory on Court Suzanne Lenglen to reach the fourth round.
Machac, who – by contrast – was wearing probably the skimpiest shorts in tennis, did come up with one spectacular piece of improvisation.
A right-handed player, he switched to play two left-handed forehands in a row to secure a break of the Medvedev serve.
You have to see it to believe it! 🤯
Shot of the Day just had to be this LEFT-HANDED forehand pass from Tomas Machac 😳#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/CoK1P0OxyG— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2024
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime caused a surprise when he upset American hotshot Ben Shelton.
In a match badly affected by the rain, Auger-Aliassime finished off 15th seed Shelton under the roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen, winning 6-4 6-2 6-1,
Auger-Aliassime, once six in the world but now seeded 21, will face Carlos Alcaraz in round four.
