Frustrated Zverev battles hard to beat Millman in the 1st round of the French Open

Alexander Zverev beats John Millman in the 1st round of the French Open.

Zverev had to do some tough work in his first match of the French Open to overcome the tough challenge from John Millman and win the match 7-6(4) 3-6 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 in 4 hours and 8 minutes. Millman tested the fifth seed till the fourth set before giving up in the decider. The fourth set tie-break was a tough one which the Aussie won on his third set point when Zverev backhand stuck into the net.

The Match

The first set was a real tussle with both the players breaking the other twice in the set. Zverev broke in the 3^rd and the 5^th game but Millman bounced back breaking the German in the 6^th and the 10^th game. The set was eventually decided in the tie-breaker with Zverev getting the better of the Australian 7-6(4).

In the 2^nd set, Zverev broke Millman 4 times to win the set 6-3.

The 3^rd set was strongly dominated by the Aussie who broke Zverev twice to claim the set 6-3.

The world no.5 started well in the fourth set with a win in the first game but the Aussie again came back from behind and broke the German in the 8^th game (4-4). The set was eventually decided in the tie-breaker with the Aussie getting the better of his opponent and win the set 6-7(5).

In the final set, Zverev lost just four service points. The German broke in the 8^th game to lead 5-3 and then held on his serve to win the set 6-3.

Zverev won the match but his frustration was evident when he smashed his racquet many times during the match. There were roars of frustration after Millman tested Zverev to the brink. The German was, however, luckier than Roger Federer who was beaten by Millman in the fourth round of the US Open 3-6 7-5 7-6 7-6.

The German summed up the match beautifully when he commented:

“I’m through — and that’s all that matters.”

The German will now face the Swedish qualifier Mikael Ymer in the 2nd round.