French Open: Alexander Zverev fends off against Baez Matchball and survives five-set

Alexander Zverev turns away from the French Open with great trouble, Angelique Kerber plays clever her routine.

When Alexander Zverev had turned his first match ball after more than three and a half hours of hard work, he bumped out a jubilee scream on the Court Philippe Chatrier, which was certainly still heard at the Eiffel Tower. The tennis Olympic champion has the impending second round k.o. still averted at the French Open.

The world ranking third from Hamburg fought the furious Argentinian Sebastian Baez on Wednesday thanks to strong nerves and physique with 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 2, 7: 5. And afterwards it was just relieved.

"It was an incredible match," said Zverev, who had to fend off a match ball and, after the second set, almost thought he was jokingly claimed: "You don't always play great. But I just fought, my rhythm found and I'm happy to be in the tournament. "

While the 25-year-old was ultimately successful so that he could continue the hunt for his first Grand Slam title, Angelique Kerber was already showering freshly showered in the belly of the Court Philippe Chatrier and looked at her upcoming duel over the round of 16. "Of course I look further now and want more," said the three-time Grand Slam winner after entering the third round with a bite and cleverness through a 6: 1, 7: 6) victory against who had only made 19 years old Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot.

Zverev, who now meets the American Brandon Nakashima, and Kerber are the last two remaining German professionals in the field, since Andrea Petkovic with a 1: 6, 6: 7) defeat at the former world rankings Wiktoria Asarenka failed. For Petkovic it was possibly the last appearance on the Ashes of Paris. "It's really difficult to say," said the 34-year-old: "If it were dependent on my will, I would still play for ten years." At the end of the season she had to listen to her body.

Angelique Kerber now meets Alijaksandra Sasnowitsch

This also applies to Kerber in Paris, who wants to use their momentum. However, she determines the dream of a career slam aside: "It is still far too far away to think about it at all."

She could take the next step in the direction against Alijaksandra Sasnowitsch from Belarus, which US Open winner Emma Raducanu eliminated. Kerber defeated Sasnowitsch last week in three sets on her way to win the title in Strasbourg. "It was a tough match, and it won't be easy," said the left-hander, who had to ward off two match balls in her opening game against Polish Magdalena.

Against Jacquemot, however, she played her experience in contrast to the initially completely indisposed Zverev. "I would shake him up, provoke," said his brother Mischa, who led to eurosport Mitlitt: "He is waiting for Baez to offer him a chance, but you have to force them to yourself."

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The thoughts seemed to be transferred, because then the best German tennis player found the highest walk, fought off a match ball and cheered after a hard piece of work.