2021 French Open: Alexander Zverev beats Russia's Roman Safiullin
World number six Alexander Zverev has secured a straight-set victory over Russia's Roman Safiullin in the 2021 French Open. The German has proceeded to the third round, beating the 24-year-old qualifier 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). He was tested in his opening match by another qualifier Oscar Otte, but staged an emphatic victory (3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-0). Here is more.
How did the match pan out?
Although Zverev entered the match as favorite, Safiullin gained a 5-4 lead in the first set. Thereafter, both the players broke to make it 6-6. The former raised his game to win tie-breaker 7-4. He won the second set 6-3 despite trailing 1-3. The third set was also decided by the tie-breaker, with Zverev easing past Safiullin 7-1.
Zverev is 11-3 on clay this season
Zverev earned his 14th match-win at the Roland Garros. He fired as many as 15 aces and registered 10 double faults. Earlier this month, the German won the Madrid Open by beating Matteo Berrettini in the final. He also won the 2021 Mexican Open, having outclassed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the summit clash. Zverev is now 11-3 on clay in the ongoing season.
Zverev will now face Laslo Djere in third round
After his second-round win, Zverev is now 20-8 in the season. This is the fifth time that he has reached the third round at Roland Garros. Notably, he reached the quarter-finals in the 2018 and 2019 editions. Zverev will next play Serbian Laslo Djere, who defeated compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Zidansek overcomes Madison Brengle in 65 minutes
Among women, Tamara Zidansek breezed past America's Madison Brengle in mere 65 minutes. The world number 85 claimed a 6-4, 6-1 win over Brengle in the second round. In the opening round, she had beaten Bianca Andreescu 6-7 (1-7), 7-6 (7-2), 9-7. Zidansek, who had never won a Roland Garros match before this edition, has now advanced to third round.
