Zverev defeats record-holding French Open winner Nadal.
In the 116th match at the French Open, Rafael Nadal suffered a loss for the fourth time. Alexander Zverev took advantage of the 14-time Roland-Garros champion and moved on to the second round. This could potentially be Nadal's last appearance at his beloved tournament.
Daring to challenge the king of the clay court, declaring his own title aspirations: Alexander Zverev might have concluded Nadal's unmatched reign in Paris with a remarkable first-round confrontation. Representing Hamburg, the Olympic winner dumbfounded the 14-time tournament victor with a 6:3, 7:6 (7:5), 6:3 triumph, boosting his self-assurance for the French Open further.
Nadal, often considered the undisputed lord of the Clay in Paris for over a decade, and who expressed excitement for this year's tournament as his main highpoint following a slow return, faced his fourth loss on the Parisian clay after claiming 112 wins. There's still some uncertainty if this was indeed his last match in Roland Garros. The 37-year-old, who kept his health concerns secret and gave himself room for a potential comeback, didn't completely write himself off.
Djokovic, Alcaraz, and more witness the spectacle
As Nadal bid his audience a heartfelt farewell, a jubilant Zverev swelled with pride after achieving this impressive feat, which he complemented with a triumph at the Rome Masters. Ranked fourth in the world, he's set to face David Goffin (Belgium) or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France) in the next round and is a clear favorite.
Zverev vs. Nadal - the match that gathered international acclaim following an unexpected draw on Thursday, transcending a first-round encounter. Expecting a passive challenge from the unseeded Spanish player, Nadal was hoping for an easier rival than the formidable German who had hurt him in the semi-finals in 2022. The ambiance, the pressure, laid claim to a final quality rather than a first-round match. The tennis superstars, including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Światawek, gathered around to witness this extraordinary match.
"I feel great about returning to my usual self," Nadal mentioned before his 19th participation in his favorite competition, and Zverev had a portentous comment: "Nadal will present himself on the court and turn back into the powerful Rafael Nadal."
Eventually, the serve-and-volley specialist triumphed over the 22-time Grand Slam champs by exhibiting proficient serving and powerful ground game. Zverev claimed the first set following a decisive break; rarely did he unfortunate enough to be caught in Nadal's notorious forehand traps. Approximately an hour passed before he secured the first set.
In the second set, Nadal regained momentum and relieved Zverev's serve for the initial time. The 37-year-old's arm became more flaccid, causing the crowd to get excited. Yet, the German champion kept his composure and came back. He maintained this pattern in the final set, where Nadal once again led. But eventually, the exceptional player who has been glorifying Paris for so long had to acknowledge his defeat.
In the interim, another underdog subsequently won, with qualifier Henri Squire causing an upset by conquering Max Purcell 6:2, 6:2, 3:6, 4:6, 7:6 (12:10) on Tuesday. On the same day, former world number one Angelique Kerber and German number two Jan-Lennard Struff will participate in this event.
Read also:
- Prodigies of sport: Littler's predecessors
- Nagelsmann's announcement: A restless Christmas for national team players
- What sports fans prefer to watch on television
- The calm before the upheaval: Nagelsmann's European Championship plans
In light of his win against Nadal, Zverev may aim to make a deep run in this year's Grand Slam tournaments, leveraging his newfound confidence. Despite Nadal's loss at the French Open, his unwavering dedication to tennis continues, hinting at possible future Grand Slam victories.
Following their historic first-round encounter at the French Open, Zverev and Nadal have both demonstrated their formidable skills in subsequent Grand Slam tournaments, showcasing their dominance in tennis's most prestigious events.
Source: www.ntv.de
