French Open: Zverev reaches last 16 after late-night win

Alexander Zverev has reached the round of 16 at the French Open, enduring a grueling late-night match to defeat France's Quentin Halys. The German star secured his victory with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. The match concluded at 0:49 AM, lasting 3 hours and 7 minutes.

This win marks Zverev's ninth consecutive appearance in the last 16 at Roland Garros. He is now seen as a leading favorite for the men's singles title. His path to the final has been cleared by the early departures of other top contenders. Grand Slam record champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated after holding a two-set lead, and world number one Jannik Sinner exited due to physical issues. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament due to injury.

With only Zverev remaining from the top five ranked players, the opportunity for him to win his first Grand Slam title appears wide open. His next opponent in the round of 16 will be Jesper De Jong of the Netherlands. De Jong, initially a qualifier, advanced to the main draw as a lucky loser and has impressed with his performances.

Despite facing Halys's strong serve, Zverev initially controlled the match, taking the first two sets. The French crowd, known for their passionate support, became more vocal when Halys took the third set around midnight. Tennis legend Boris Becker noted that Halys was the more active player in the latter part of the third set. However, the lost set seemed to serve as a wake-up call for Zverev, who regained his momentum, showing determination as he secured the win on his third match point.

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Halys enjoys the party on the court.