Zverev Wins Third Consecutive Five-Setter, Wozniacki Trails at Roland Garros

German hope Alexander Zverev experienced his third straight five-set thriller to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2018 French Open on Sunday.

Zverev had already seen off Dusan Lajovic and Damir Dzumhur through full sets. He and Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the youngest men remaining in the men’s singles last 16, combined to finish a tough battle in almost three and a half hours, where Zverev came back from 2-1 down to ultimately win 4-6, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

He will take on Dominic Thiem in his Grand Slam quarterfinal debut, after Thiem eliminated Japanese top-ranked Nishikori Kei 6-2, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4. Zverev earned his third career ATP Masters title after beating Thiem in Madrid in May. The German has won 34 tour-level matches this season, more than any other player in 2018 and one more than his nearest rival Thiem.

“He’s an amazing player. I mean, probably now the third best after Rafa [Rafael Nadal] and Roger [Federer]. It’s going to be an amazing challenge for me,” Thiem said. “I’m expecting another five-set match,” Zverev said with a smile. “I’ll get myself ready for that.”

Novak Djokovic beat Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Serbian will meet Italian underdog Marco Cecchinato as the latter shocked eighth-seeded David Goffin 7-5, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Second seed Caroline Wozniacki, who captured her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2018 Australian Open, lost the opening set of her match 7-6 (5) to Russian Daria Kasatkina.

The match had to be postponed until Monday due to unfavorable light conditions, when the two players were tied at 3-3 in the second set. No. 10 seed Sloane Stephens awaits the winner in the quarterfinals after downing Anett Kontaveit 6-2, 6-0.

Stephens’ compatriot Madison Keys beat Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-1, 6-4, and will next face Yulia Putintseva, who knocked out No. 26 seed Barbora Strycova 6-4, 6-3. China’s Yang Zhaoxuan continued her journey in the women’s doubles as she made it into last eight with Chan Hao-Ching of Chinese Taipei, defeating Sorana Cirstea and Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-4.

Zhang Shuai bowed out from mixed doubles in the second round with Australian John Peers following a 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 loss to Nicole Melichar and Alexander Peya.

In the junior division, second-seed Wang Xinyu and No. 8 seed Wang Xiyu both moved past the girls’ singles first round, while Mu Tao crashed out of the boys’ singles first round.

Courtesy : Xinhua
Photo : Xinhua

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