Alexander Zverev got out of jail at the French Open just a day after his domestic abuse trial started in a Berlin courtroom. The German world No.4 is one of the favourites for the title here after winning the Rome Masters and beating Rafa Nadal in the first round.
“After I beat him, I felt I had won the tournament,” Zverev admitted after his second-round victory.
But the Olympic champion had to battle back from a double break down in the final set before winning a match tiebreak against world No.25 Tallon Griekspoor under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
On another day of rain in the French capital, the Dutchman mixed aggressive serve-and-volley tactics with cunning drop shots from the baseline to threaten the biggest shock of the tournament.
But leading 4-1 in the final set, he failed to close out the biggest win of his career and inconsistent Zverev won a rollercoaster encounter 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6 in four hours and 10 minutes.
He held his nerve to take his second match point with an ace down the middle before raising his arms in celebration.
In his courtside interview, Zverev said: “Incredible. Incredible match, incredible player. He is unbelievably dangerous. I have always struggled against him. I don’t like to play against him. Credit to him. It was just one or two points here and there. He is an incredible player, incredible fighter. To be honest, the atmosphere here was unbelievable. I enjoyed every single second. The support I have here is like at no other Grand Slam. I will see you all again in two days.”
The French crowd had backed the German but they turned on him in the final set when he questioned two line calls.
Zverev has reached three semi-finals here and is now through to the fourth round for the seventh consecutive year.
But the 2020 US Open runner-up winning his first Major title here would be uncomfortable for the tournament and for tennis giving his ongoing legal battle.
The first day of his trial was adjourned on Friday after the Olympic champion’s legal team asked for proceedings to be held behind closed doors. A decision is expected on Monday with the trial set to continue throughout the summer.
The German is challenging a penalty order and fine of €450,000 (£383,000) given by a judge last October for “physically abusing a woman” – his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea.
Her lawyer Michael Nitschke said: “It’s definitely not about the money. It’s about justice. That’s what she hopes for.”
