Zverev storms into third round
German sixth seed Alexander Zverev blew hot and cool along with his serve but had enough artillery to take down Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(1) to attain the third round of the French Start on Wednesday.
Zverev and Safiullin under no circumstances contested a Tour-level meet before Wednesday but met three times as being juniors with the German winning most three in straight models.
However the 182nd-ranked Russian, who typically plies his trade on the challenger circuit, went toe-to-toe with Zverev in the baseline challenge in the opening place before the German got the key break in the 11th game.
Serving for the placed, Zverev dedicated two double-faults to give away the benefit and had some other in the tie-breaker but he recovered to have the lead with back-to-back again aces in the primary match of the day in Suzanne Lenglen court.
"First week you take up against guys, some of them play 1st, second, third time of a Grand Slam," Zverev told reporters. "They're very motivated. They're fired up to play on the big courts, like I thought today.
"I think he played an excellent match. I'm pleased to get through in three sets. The match absolutely wasn't easy."
Double faults continued to haunt the 24-year-old German on the second place as he smashed his racquet found on the court on frustration and suffered a service break. But he recovered spectacularly to consider the set by earning five games in a row.
Safiullin continued to problems Zverev in the 3rd set and pressured the German, who rallied from two sets down to defeat qualifier Oscar Otte in Sunday's opening round, to dig deep.
Zverev, who served 15 aces against 10 double faults, was once more forced to overcome a good 4-1 deficit to take the 3rd set right into a tiebreaker.
However the U.S. Start finalist served highly and outplayed Safiullin in the tiebreaker to set up a clash against Serbia's Laslo Djere, who returned from a two-arranged deficit to defeat countryman Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-3.
"Today, especially last several sets, they could possess gone both methods, especially the third. The next I thought I was in charge more," said Zverev, who is considered among the name contenders at Roland Garros this time after his gain in Madrid.
"But, yeah, I'm pleased to be through in 3 sets. I'm happy never to have played another five-setter. I think it's going to be crucial for me during the course of this tournament."
