An ace to seal the match ☄ Alexander Zverev comes back from a set down to defeat Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 and reaches the finals in Paris for the first time. #RolandGarros
Boris Becker on Zverev's Grand Slam chance: "You've got to die once or twice to lift the trophy."
ATPSaturday, 08 June 2024 at 22:00
Former
world No. 1 Boris Becker is hopeful that Alexander Zverev will defeat Carlos
Alcaraz and secure his first Grand Slam title in Sunday's French Open final.
The six-time Grand Slam champion expressed his support for his compatriot,
saying: “It’s a historic day for Germany because we’ve never had a champion
here.”
Becker
mentioned that he has spoken with Zverev in recent days and sees good potential
for the 26-year-old player. Sascha is on a 12-match winning streak on clay,
having claimed the title at the Rome Open and now reaching his first final at
Roland Garros.
Challenging Campaign for Zverev
It has
not been an easy campaign for Zverev, who has faced tough opponents in every
round. “He had a hard, difficult draw to come through. [The first round] was a
final for him.” He debuted against the 14-time champion Rafael Nadal and took
advantage of the Spaniard's lack of rhythm to eliminate the greatest legend in
French Open history in straight sets. Three days later, he defeated former
world No. 7 David Goffin, also in straight sets.
In the
third round, the 26th seed Tallon Griekspoor pushed him to the limit, with
Zverev securing a narrow victory in the fifth set super tie-break. From there,
he went on to defeat Holger Rune (No. 13), Alex De Minaur (No. 11), and Casper
Ruud (No. 7).
“He’s
in the final and I think he’s got a shot. I’ve spoken to him. He’s been to the
final before and I think he learned a lesson,” commented Boris Becker. “He
should’ve beaten Dominic Thiem [in the US Open final] four years ago. He’s a
more mature guy now, a more mature player.”
Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
“He
had to raise his level from the first round. He could’ve gone out to Tallon
Griekspoor in the third round but this is Grand Slam tennis,” he added. “You’ve
got to die once or twice in order to lift the trophy. I think he’s got a good
shot.”
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