‘Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic always found a way,’ A gritty Alexander Zverev clutches past Sebastian Baez to reach the third round of the French Open


‘Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic always found a way,’ A gritty Alexander Zverev clutches past Sebastian Baez to reach the third round of the French Open

Alexander Zverev

Third seed Alexander Zverev survives a very tough second-round clash and clutches past a valiant Sebastian Baez at the 2022 French Open. Zverev got the better of Baez in five sets 2-6,4-6,6-1,6-2,7-5 to reach the third round of the tournament against all odds. Zverev had to save a match point in the final set and clearly, he was nowhere near his best but somehow managed to rise from the dead.

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In the post-match interview with Mats Wilander, Zverev lauded Baez’s effort and revealed what he told him. He told Baez that this is probably the worst he’ll ever feel on a tennis court. He then cited the example of his brain fade US Open final loss to Dominic Thiem but added that even after that loss, he managed to win 6 titles and an Olympic gold the following year, so it always gets better.

“I told Sebastian that this is probably the worst you’ll ever feel on a tennis court. I know it very well because I lost the US Open final from being two sets to love up and was 2 points away from winning it and then the following year I won 6 titles and an Olympic gold medal. So you always get better from it. I wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great kid and he’ll do a lot of great things in times to come,” he said.

Also Read: ‘Without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic would not be at this level’: Mats Wilander

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‘I was planning my holiday in Monaco’: Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev | Tennis News | FirstSportz
Alexander Zverev

Zverev was break-point and 0-4 down in the second set but managed to get a break back and fought his way to carry momentum in the third set despite losing the second set. He talked about keeping things going and said that he is just happy to be alive in the tournament right now.

“I couldn’t have played worst than what I did in that set. I just tried to fight in those moments. You’re not gonna play great every single match and you always have to find a way to win these kinds of matches I knew that I was most likely not gonna win the second set but I had to get my rhythm and fight back. I’m just happy to just be alive in the tournament right now,” he said.

Talking about the thought process to fight back, he joked about thinking of going on a holiday mid-match but then revealed how the Big 3- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have inspired him to act calmly and never give up in dying situations.

“I was planning my holiday in Monaco and who I’m gonna with. Thinking about the beach relaxed me a little bit but in all seriousness, there’s not much you can do. You just have to find a way. You can talk about some greats like Rafa, Roger, and Novak- they always find a way in the most difficult moments that’s why they are who they are. I’m never going to be on that level but I’m trying to get closer to them,” he said.

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Also Read: “It’s a reflection of what happened in Australia” Tim Henman and Mischa Zverev discuss the ‘wild celebrations’ of Novak Djokovic

Also Read: WATCH: “The absolute worst”- Frustrated Alexander Zverev shouts at his camp, gets booed by the audience heavily