TNT Sports
Tim Henman on Alexander Zverev's 'opportunity' at this year's French Open with the draw in his favour
By
Published 05/06/2023 at 23:42 GMT+1
Alexander Zverev has qualified for his fifth French Open quarter-final after beating Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The main draw looks favourable for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist with the German unable to play either Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic until at least the final. Henman thinks Zverev will fancy his chances to win this year's French Open title.
Image credit: Getty Images
Tim Henman believes Alexander Zverev will think he has a "great opportunity" to reach a maiden French Open final.
Zverev beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 6-4 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach his ninth career quarter-final in a Grand Slam tournament.
But it has been a difficult year for Zverev, who had to leave the court on a wheelchair in his 2022 French Open semi-final match against eventual winner Rafael Nadal after rolling his ankle.
Zverev has only dropped a set en route to the quarters and will play either No. 4 seed Holger Rune or No. 6 seed Casper Ruud if he beats his opponent Thomas Martin Etcheverry.
Henman thinks Zverev will have plenty of belief in his chances at this year's French Open heading into the match.
"I really respect the way Zverev has continued to work hard," he told Eurosport.
"You reap what you sow. What you're putting in you're going to get it out.
"He was really struggling with that in the early part of the year. He was losing some really bad matches and he looked frustrated, but he talked about his work ethic and the team around him. He's just kept doing the right things.
"Now he is getting the rewards and when you think about this tournament and how he's fought his way. How the bottom half of the draw has opened up, I think he feels like this is his opportunity.
"He was deprived of that opportunity last year, 12 months ago, with the terrible injury and now he says 'now is my chance to get back there'. I'm really pleased for him."
World No. 49 Etcheverry is playing in his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland-Garros after a three-sets win over Yoshihito Nishioka in the round of 16.
Wilander believes there will be "a lot of pressure" on Zverev because of the Argentine's ability.
"He doesn't have many weaknesses to be honest," he said.
"A very solid clay court player that you are going to have to beat. He was not overly emotional when he started to pull away in this match.
"Roland-Garros is probably the biggest tournament as an Argentinean on clay. So much tradition there.
"I don't think it's that easy. I think Zverev has a lot of pressure on him suddenly."
- - -
Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement