Zverev, Dimitrov survive in five at Roland Garros

Alexander Zverev almost endured another early-round disaster at a Grand Slam. Nonetheless, he is still alive at the French Open.

Zverev recovered from a two sets to one deficit, overcoming Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in three hours and 24 minutes of second-round action on Wednesday afternoon. The world No. 3 has never reached the quarterfinals of a major, but he is favored to do so at Roland Garros thanks in part to a brilliant clay-court swing that includes title in Madrd and Munich to go along with a runner-up performance in Rome. It nearly came crashing down at the hands of an unseeded but in-form opponent.

“Dusan…at the moment and during the clay court season…he’s playing unbelievable,” Zverev assured. “I knew it was not going to be an easy match. I didn’t play my best the first three sets, I thought. Once I found my range and rhythm, I felt good out there.

“Being two sets to one down is like being a set in a three-set match. We’re not going to overthink it, (like) ‘Oh, I’m two sets to one down. What am I going to do? How am I going to play the next point?'”

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlePXpxu3Xc

Grigor Dimitrov also needed five sets to earn his place in the last 32. The world No. 5, like Zverev a favorite for the semifinals on paper as the fourth seed, battled past Jared Donaldson 6-7(2), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 after four hours and eight minutes.

Despite cramping late in the fifth set, Donaldson broke back at 7-8 to stay in it only to see Dimitrov break again at 8-8 and hold easily for the clincher.

“After playing for about, what, a little over four hours, it’s great,” the Bulgarian commented. “I mean, I just…I felt good. I thought I had quite a little bit left in the tank, so that was great. Today was all smiles on our side…. It’s great to win a match in five sets. I think it stays with you, you keep it, and especially on clay and out here at the French Open.

“I think it was one of those matches that I didn’t play my best, but I managed a way to win. And when one thing wasn’t going well, the physical part was great. So, you know, we check that off.”

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ulCcJn5ss

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