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He waited a long time and then did it in a short time: Alexander Zverev put the turbo in Paris despite the “bad weather” and even saved energy when he reached the round of 16. (Schedule and results of the 2020 French Open)
In the third round of the French Open, the 23-year-old from Hamburg beat Italian clay expert Marco Cecchinato 6: 1, 7: 5, 6: 3 in just 1:47 hours of play and also made it to the second tournament week in the last Major of the year. .
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The Italian days continue for Zverev: after Sicilian Cecchinato, furious South Tyrolean Jannik Sinner awaits him, who, like top favorites Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, reached the round of 16 without losing a single set.
“He is someone who is more and more in the foreground here, he has a lot of power,” Zverev said after the game: “But there is no reason for me to be nervous after my performance today.”
Daniel Altmaier, qualifier from Kempen and second hope of the German Tennis Association (DTB), also wants to get into the round of 16. The 22-year-old will also play on Saturday against an Italian, Matteo Berrettini of Rome.
Zverev also defies rain interruption
Zverev, who has reached the French Open quarter-finals for the past two years, started with an incredibly focused approach. An interruption in the rain and a five-set match against him had stopped him, now he seemed to be in a hurry on the court from Suzanne Lenglen. Won the first set after just 23 minutes. Cecchinato couldn’t keep up with his powerful game and made a lot of mistakes.
Boris Becker, DTB men’s tennis director, liked it. “I hope I win faster this time,” Becker said in Eurosport.
In the first two rounds, Zverev stood on the red ash for more than six hours, significantly longer than, say, Thiem or Nadal. “It takes a lot of strength, that’s my concern. It was to the bone,” Becker said.
Zverev put this aside after his second round win against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. But Thiem also admitted on Friday that he was concerned he would still feel the US Open with the final close against Zverev in Paris.
Fresh Zverev against Cecchinato
Zverev still looked fresh against Cecchinato. Especially mentally. An early break in the second set against him did not throw Hamburg off balance. He waited patiently for his chance and took advantage of Cecchinato’s serve to make it 5: 5, only to win the round soon after.
In the third set, Zverev quickly broke the resistance of the world number 110, who couldn’t keep up with the world number seven that night. Cecchinato tried to throw Zverev off balance with a little wail. But the best player chose the fastest possible route until the last sixteen that night.
It was not entirely clear if Laura Siegemund could play her third round match on Saturday against Croatian Petra Martic. The 32-year-old from Metzingen had to give up in doubles.
