Alexander Zverev: Pundits react as the German narrowly avoids major French Open upset

Alexander Zverev survived a huge scare at the 2024 French Open as he came back from the brink to defeat Tallon Griekspoor in five sets in the third round.

Mats Wilander was critical of Griekspoor’s attitude as he approached the finish line, while Alex Corretja argued having such a commanding lead in the final set hurt the Dutchman.

Zverev , who is one of the title favourites at Roland Garros, was in real danger of heading for a shock exit when he found himself a double break down at 1-4 in the fifth set.

The world No 4 responded by winning four straight games and then dominated the 10-point match tiebreak to seal a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory.

The tension appeared to get to Griekspoor as he closed in on what would have been the biggest win of his career. The 27-year-old, who is ranked 25th, was looking to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Zverev had not dropped a set prior to the match, having defeated 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in the opening round and David Goffin in the second round.

The 27-year-old German won the Italian Open earlier this month and reached the semi-finals at the Roland Garros in each of the last three years.

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Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, questioned Griekspoor’s body language when serving at 4-3 in the final set, but praised his level of play.

“Not great attitude in the end, he was looking at his coach and laughing and shaking his head, but he was up and break and serving so it was kind of weird,” the Swede told Eurosport .

“It shows that he hasn’t been there enough and the moment just got to him in the end. But he must realise he’s a great player, he’s nearly as good as the best players in the world.”

Two-time French Open finalist Corretja assessed that being up a double break in the fifth set was actually detrimental to Griekspoor’s chances.

“I think the double break he had I think was worse for him [Griekspoor],” the former world No 2 said. “I think he maybe got a little bit too confident thinking maybe I’ve got him, and with Sascha Zverev you can never relax because he’s such a fighter.

“And I think had he had only one break in the fifth set it would have been different. I think having two breaks was something that didn’t help him.”

Henman, a former world No 4, gave his thoughts on the match slipping away from the Dutchman.

“Griekspoor will learn a lot from this match, up 4-1 in the fifth for sure he started thinking about the finish line, he’s gone away from his game plan, he started to choose some poor shots, his execution wasn’t the same.

“But there was only ever one winner in that tie break.”

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