French Open: Alexander Zverev survives huge scare in epic five-set comeback against Tallon Griekspoor

ByBecky Hart

Published 01/06/2024 at 17:45 GMT

Alexander Zverev survived a huge scare as he came back from a double-break down in the fifth set to scrape his way past an inspired Tallon Griekspoor, the Dutchman playing the match of his career. Trailing 1-4 in the decider, Zverev summoned every bit of nerve he had left to turn the match on its head and record an incredible 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6(3) win.

After winning his opening two rounds in straight sets, Alexander Zverev looked set to make his way into the latter rounds of the French open with ease, living up to his tag as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

But instead, the German was forced to dig incredibly deep to beat Tallon Griekspoor in five gruelling sets, coming back from a double-break down in the fifth and letting out a roar of relief when match point went his way in the final tie-break to seal a 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6(3) win.

It could have been so different though, with Griekspoor up 4-1 in that fifth set and playing exceptional tennis. But his nerve failed as fatigue set in, with Zverev raising his game just when he needed to, as the top players so often do. There was a last hurrah from his Dutch opponent, who managed to hold serve to stay in the match at 4-5 and again at 5-6, ensuring a match tie-break would be needed to settle it.

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But Zverev played sublime tennis in the breaker, willing to come to the net and finding the lines when it mattered. He even had luck on his side, hitting the net and seeing the ball bounce over the waiting racquet of his incredulous opponent. In the end, he sealed the win with an ace, raising both arms aloft as he walked slowly towards the net.

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Zverev initially paid for his slow start to the match, losing the first three games to Griekspoor. Although his level picked up after that, the Dutchman showed no signs of nerves despite being taken to deuce when he tried to serve out the opening set. Taking it 6-3 in the end, Griekspoor became the first man to take a set off one of the pre-tournament favourites this year.

This match wasn’t seeing the same Zverev who had beaten Rafael Nadal in that emotional opening round, or even had to overcome a spirited David Goffin in round two. Instead, the German seemed flat, perhaps understandably after achieving such a big result so early on in the tournament.

“This is difficult for the crowd,” the Eurosport commentators noted, such was the subdued atmosphere as Zverev continued to hit unforced errors in the second set, while ensuring Griekspoor couldn’t get a handle on the match by following up any error with a big serve.  

Some big serving helped Zverev escape a tight game at 4-4 in the second after Griekspoor had briefly rallied with a brilliant backhand cross-court passing winner, no mean feat with Zverev’s 6’6’’ frame smothering the net.

Tallon Griekspoor

Image credit: Getty Images

But from nowhere, Zverev took the second set 6-4, Griekspoor showing the first signs of nerves as he served to stay in it, only to be broken to love - an unforced error handing the set to the German.

The assumption was that Zverev would kick on at one-set all, but instead, he served up two break points in his opening game of the third set. He held, but it wasn’t convincing. But helping Zverev out was the disintegration of his opponent’s game for the first time, Griekspoor handing the German a break in lacklustre fashion.

From there, Zverev took the third set 6-2 with the best tennis he’d produced all day, completely turning the match on its head. And with that, on came the trainer for Griekspoor, who was reportedly playing with a nerve block in his forearm – which had seen him repeatedly shake out his hand throughout the match.

But instead, the trainer was asked to work on his upper leg, with the Dutchman grimacing as treatment began.

Whatever the trainer did worked, with Griekspoor back to the form he showed in the opening two sets. But he was now up against a much improved Zverev, which meant when he broke serve at 2-2 in the fourth, it took some very high-quality play to get past the German.

'Amazing' Zverev wins crucial third set against Griekspoor

As if to prove the point, Griekspoor found an incredible down-the-line pass to grab the set 6-4 and take the German fourth seed to a decider.

And that wasn’t where Griekspoor stopped either, as he broke in the opening game of the fifth set. The crowd might have struggled with the turgid encounter early on, but they were thoroughly enthralled in the fifth, with the Dutchman playing inspired tennis and Zverev hanging on by the skin of his teeth.

“He’s holding his nerve admirably,” said the commentary team, with Griekspoor leading at 4-1 with two breaks in the fifth. That nerve faltered though, and when one break of serve went back to Zverev, suddenly the momentum swung back to the German.

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A double-fault opened the door for Zverev to level, and with the crowd on their feet, it was back to 4-4 in the fifth. The drama was reaching unbelievable heights, with Griekspoor struggling physically and Zverev sensing his chance.

The match went to a final set tie-break, a fitting finish to a tense encounter that swung this way and that. But in the end, it was Zverev who sealed victory with an ace.

"I don't like to play against him," confirmed Zverev afterwards, having already lost to Griekspoor in Rotterdam last year.

"But the atmosphere was incredible, so thank you very much and see you in two days' time!"

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