Tennis Championship: Zverev Triumphs Over Cobolli in French Open Match
Firing on All Cylinders, Ace Zverev Climbs Through to Round of 16 Again
Alexander Zverev's prowess at the French Open continues unabated with a courageous, 6:2, 7:6 (7:4), 6:1 win against Italian clay-court specialist Flavio Cobolli.
This is the eighth consecutive year that the 28-year-old German has stormed into the Round of 16 at the second Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. Over the last four years, Zverev has etched his name as a force to reckon with, reaching at least the semifinals, and landing a runner-up spot in 2024, when he fell to Spanish title-holder Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set affair.**
With each victory, the world No. 3 refuses to be outshone and clinched his win over Cobolli after 2 hours and 30 minutes, converting his fourth match point. That puts him face-to-face with Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor on Monday, a player he bested in Munich in three nail-biting sets during their last encounter.
Zverev was lavish in his praise for Parisian soil, echoing his sentiments following his first court appearance this year on Court Philippe-Chatrier. A venue that's been the stage for both his victories and heartbreaking defeats, such as the severe ankle injury he sustained in a semifinal against Rafael Nadal three years ago. "Today was incredibly tough for me for a long time," he admitted after the Cobolli showdown. "The second set was crucial, and then the match swung in my favor," he added.
The odds seem to be in Zverev's favor against Griekspoor, but the going is expected to get tougher for him. Bolstered by a potential quarterfinal battle against reigning Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and a semifinal bout with Italian world No. 1 Jannik Sinner (who demolished Jiri Lehecka 6:0, 6:1, 6:2 in their third-round match) loom on the horizon.
Zverev took control of his match against Cobolli from the get-go, showcasing his class as he broke the Italian's serve right off the bat. "I played brilliantly from the outset," he said of his performance.** Cobolli, basking in the glory of his win at the tournament in Hamburg the week prior, struggled to match the intensity of the German No. 1 and fell in three sets.
The German Davis Cup doubles team, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, bowed out of the French Open this year in a surprise second-round loss to Ivan Dodig and Orlando Luz. The runners-up at the ATP Finals last year and contenders for the title at the French Open, Krawietz and Puetz suffered a disappointing 6:3, 6:7 (4:7), 3:6 defeat.**
Alexander Zverev's tennis skills were evident once more as he secured a place in the Round of 16 at the French Open, demonstrating his prowess in sports, specifically tennis. His next opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, might prove challenging, but Zverev's confidence in his game remains strong, having won their previous encounter in three sets.
