Alexander Zverev's fight for a Roland Garros title continued with another grueling encounter. The German needed five sets, mirroring his third-round match, to overcome 13th seed Holger Rune in the fourth round. The match stretched over four hours, showcasing Zverev's resilience.
Zverev endures another 5-set marathon at Roland Garros
This victory marks Zverev's sixth Roland Garros quarter-final appearance, placing him among an elite group of players this century. Next, he'll face Australia's Alex de Minaur, who pulled off a significant upset over fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Zverev will be aiming to reach his fourth consecutive Roland Garros semi-final.
Alexander Zverev's path to the Roland Garros quarterfinals wasn't smooth sailing. Initially, Holger Rune's diverse shot selection caused problems for Zverev, leading to a first-set loss. However, Zverev quickly adjusted and controlled the second set.
The momentum shifted again in the third set, with Zverev facing pressure as he missed break opportunities and even had to fight to stay in the match. Despite falling behind 0-15, he forced a tie-break and dominated it with his powerful serve and groundstrokes. This newfound confidence carried over into the final set, where Zverev overwhelmed Rune with his heavy hitting to seal the victory.
Stage is set for Ruud vs Djokovic
In a highly anticipated quarter-final rematch of last year's French Open final, Novak Djokovic will clash with Casper Ruud. Ruud, the No. 7 seed, booked his spot after a hard-fought four-set victory over No. 12 Taylor Fritz (7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2). This isn't Ruud's first dance on the big stage at Roland Garros. He previously fell to Djokovic in the 2023 final and to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 championship match.
Meanwhile, Djokovic arrives at the quarter-final following a dramatic five-set comeback win against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo (6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3).
Novak Djokovic's quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title wasn't easy at Roland Garros. He was forced into a grueling five-set battle for the second time in less than 48 hours. But Djokovic, ever the champion, rose to the occasion and emerged victorious.
This win wasn't just about reaching the next round. It was historic for several reasons. First, it marked his 370th match victory at Grand Slam tournaments, surpassing the record previously held by Roger Federer. Second, Djokovic secured his 59th appearance in a major quarter-final, another record that extends his lead over his long-time rival Federer. Finally, this victory tied him with Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka for the most five-set wins (11) at Roland Garros in the Open Era.
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