WATCH: Tallon Griekspoor goes on a brutal racket smash as frustration builds up playing against Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells

The Dutchman conceded multiple chances to win the first set that led to his meltdown on the court against the German.

WATCH: Tallon Griekspoor goes on a brutal racket smash as frustration builds up playing against Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells

Tallon Griekspoor smashes his racket in frustration against Alexander Zverev at the Indian Wells Masters (Image via IMAGO)

World No. 6 Alexander Zverev and World No. 27 Tallon Griekspoor played one of the thrilling matches of the third round at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters. While the German came out on top winning the match 7-6(7), 6-3, the score does not justify the actual performance of the two men.

The Dutch broke in the third game of the first set and held on to it neatly. Serving for the set at 5-3, he however failed to capitalize on it as Zverev put on a defensive masterclass. He then held his serve to level the set at 5-5. As both held their serves in the next games, the set went into the tiebreaker.

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The 27-year-old raced to a 3-0 lead in the tiebreaker and got to 5-2 quickly. Zverev yet again had to rely on his defensive game as he saved two set points. He eventually clinched the tiebreaker at 9-7 after 9 minutes and 15 seconds. It also awarded him the first set which was played out for a total of 63 minutes.

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As Griekspoor hit his forehand outside the baseline, the German screamed loudly having won a tense tiebreaker. At the same time, the Dutchman’s frustration had no bar as he squandered various chances that eventually cost him the set.

As Zverev approached his bench, the 27th seed smashed his racket on the court EIGHT times in a big meltdown. While he did not hurl any expletives, all his frustration was borne by his racket which was smashed to pieces that he eventually picked before returning to his bench.

Alexander Zverev sets up a mouth-watering fourth-round clash

Zverev was in better control during the second set as he won it 6-3 to move ahead. Griekspoor didn’t have any other moment of madness on the court as the German wrapped up the proceedings in 39 minutes in the second set.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via IMAGO)

With the win, the sixth seed now moves into the fourth round of Indian Wells for the fourth time in his career. His quarter-final run in 2021 remains his best result at the tennis paradise to date. He will now take on old foe and in-form Australian Alex de Minaur.

de Minaur defeated Alexander Bublik 7-5, 6-0 to reach the fourth round. Zverev currently holds a healthy 6-2 lead in the head-to-head against the 25-year-old Aussie. This will be the second meeting between the two this year.

They earlier met in the semis of the 2024 United Cup where de Minaur won the tie but couldn’t take his nation to the finals. Germany eventually claimed the title. de Minaur is yet to make the last-8 in Indian Wells and will surely come all guns blazing to overpower the German banking on his great form this year.

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