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It was 4: 4 in the third set when the round of 16 match at the French Open between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Alexander Zverev seemed to flip. At the time, the 19-year-old talent was leading 2-0 in sets (6: 3, 6: 3), but now you could tell he was worried, so close to the biggest win of his young career. . Zverev, number six in Paris, didn’t have to do much. He waited for mistakes. They came. Like the break at 5: 4.
The German then carried his serve and shortened it to 1: 2 after sets. It is these moments in matches over three series of victories that have often become the turning point. Especially when world-class players with a lot of experience meet young players. The full distance, the five sets, this long distance is usually the specialty of the top ten exclusive players.
But not this time. From the fourth set onwards, Sinner simply recalled his aggressive and dominating baseline game, driving Zverev back into the square from left to right and back to front, spraying stop balls in his varied repertoire and at times, slowing down. Sinner took Zverev’s serve at the start of this crucial fourth set and typically got the match off with a forehand that went off the field and hit the German into the net. From Zverev’s point of view, at the end it was 3: 6, 3: 6, 6: 4 and 3: 6. The simple result of this match is one thing, the story about Zverev’s health is another.
The tournament doctor entered the field twice in the first set when the score was 4: 1 and 5: 2 for Sinner. Zverev had asked for it. It was a throat spray. The German understood that. After that, apparently, there was no longer any sign of discomfort. However, that sounded different after the match: “I was completely ill after Cecchinato’s match in the third round, I couldn’t breathe properly, I had a temperature of 38 degrees and I slept badly for the last few nights,” said the 23-year-old. .
“I’m not in the best physical condition, and the infection was still there today. That had an impact on my game. Every long rally was like a burning sensation in my chest.” Zverev said these phrases later at the press conference. He coughed, the dark protection of his mouth and nose almost becoming protection for his eyes, mouth and nose.
“He didn’t play badly”
When asked about Zverev’s condition, Sinner later told SPIEGEL: “I didn’t notice anything. In the first sentence the doctor was in the field, but he had no idea why. I’m sorry it’s wrong and believe it too.” Sinner was a bit surprised: “On the field he seemed to be physically well, he ran a lot in the third and fourth sets. He definitely didn’t play bad.”
The sometimes strong wind and the cool temperatures at Suzanne Lenglen Stadium were a factor for both players. “I don’t think anyone felt comfortable on the pitch today,” he added.
Nadal now waits for Sinner
In the end, Sinner doesn’t care what influence Zverev’s condition had on his success. The teenager continued his flawless career at the French Open with victory. In four games, South Tyrol only made one sentence. On Tuesday, Sinner will face Rafael Nadal, seeded number two, in the quarterfinals. At the same time, the Spaniard had defeated the young American contender Sebastian Korda 6: 1, 6: 1 and 6: 2 in a quick race. Against Sinner it should be more difficult for Nadal for the first time.
And Zverev? In this match, especially in the first two sets, he partially fell into old patterns from days gone by. This new balance, which had recently strengthened the Germans, suddenly disappeared. He threw his bat again and seemed frustrated and looking for help from his father and his coach in the box. After his departure in difficult conditions, he still found some positive words: “I have the best Grand Slam year of my career behind me,” he said almost defiantly.
At the Australian Open in January he was eliminated in the semifinals, in New York he only lost in the final. Both times the opponent was named Dominik Thiem. This time the end of the last sixteen came. Against a superior Jannik Sinner.
