French Open: Alexander Zverev after show of strength in the third round

Alexander Zverev has reached the third round of the French Open 2018 with a lot of effort: The second seeded German defeated Dusan Lajovic from Serbia in five sets.

The last two sets in the second round match at the French Open went clearly to Alexander Zverev – before that the best German player had to fight hard with Dusan Lajovic. After more than three hours of play, however, the favourite won 2:6, 7:5, 4:6, 6:1 and 6:2.

The Wednesday of the first week in Paris traditionally belongs to the children. Well, it’s official Kids´ Day is always held on the Saturday before the tournament starts, with the main event at Philippe Chatrier. There is usually a good mood, on the court and in the stands, serious sport is of course not offered.

The atmosphere was also good on the seats of Court 1, at least not a few, mostly rather younger visitors followed their need to speak. For example, there was a constant background noise above the bullring, which is to be demolished at the end of the tournament. Once again.

Lajovic got off to a better start, played variably, the usual weapons, especially the first serve, did not yet work for Zverev. After 35 minutes the Serbian set one had secured itself 6:2, two breaks against Zverev in one set had only Rafael Nadal in Rome.

Round two started again unpleasantly for the tournament’s number two, Lajovic quickly led 3-1, Zverev changed his equipment after 52 minutes, the hard material test was not positive for the club. But the Hamburg-born player got into the match better, equalised 3-3, and after more than 90 minutes of total play time with the second break of the set also the tie.

The third act began again with an early break for the underdog, Zverev missed four chances to equalize 2-2. A breath of change in favour of the Madrid winner was in the air, but in fact it was Lajovic who took the lead again. And after 2:20 hours he turned his second set point into 6:4.

The fact that Alexander Zverev left Court 1 as the winner in the end was primarily due to the Hamburg-born player’s ability to maintain his level – Lajovic, on the other hand, let the fourth set run after an early deficit and took another break in the first game with a double error.

That was enough for Zverev, who defied the background noise and brought home the game after 3:25 hours. That’s a good sign: At the Australian Open Zverev was defeated by Hyeon Chung in the fifth set.

In round three, the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur is waiting. Zverev lost against him in two sets on hard court in Shenzhen last autumn.