Alexander Zverev is through to the last 16 at the Paris Masters. World no. 3 accomplished that feat at all nine Masters 1000 events this season, earning a rare achievement and joining the legends. Zverev is the fourth player with the last 16 run at all Masters 1000 tournaments within a year, joining Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych. Nadal and Djokovic, the most decorated players at this level, had an incredible run in 2009, notching the quarter-final at all nine premium ATP events. Tomas Berdych joined the party in 2011 and 2013, playing well at all nine Masters 1000 events and standing alone on two achievements. Nadal mirrored his 2009 campaign eight years later, embracing another great run and delivering his second entire Masters 1000 season without an early loss.
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Zverev's 2024 Masters 1000 results
Alexander is 24-7 at this level this season, entering every tournament and lifting a trophy in Rome. The German started with the quarter-final in Indian Wells and the semi-final in Miami before falling in the last 16 in Monte Carlos and Madrid. Zverev conquered Foro Italico, securing his sixth Masters 1000 crown seven years after the first. He fell in the quarter-final in Montreal to Sebastian Korda and Jannik Sinner in the semi-final in Cincinnati after a massive battle that went on for over three hours. World no. 3 lost in the fourth round in Shanghai and will try to improve that result in Paris, facing Arthur Fils in a challenging duel on Thursday.
Alexander's performance against Griekspoor
Alexander embraced his fourth duel against Tallon Griekspoor this year and scored a 7-6, 6-3 triumph in an hour and 32 minutes. The German ousted the Dutchman for the sixth time in seven duels, the fifth in a row. Both players shined behind the first serve on the fast indoor court. Zverev made the difference with the second serve, although he faced three break points in three games of the opening set, including a set point at 4-5. Alexander endured those challenges, claiming the opener in a tie break and converting a lone break chance in set number two to emerge at the top. The better-ranked player landed 18 winners and 13 unforced errors, besting the opponent's 20-29 ratio. Zverev led 28-23 in service winners while they stayed neck and neck from the baseline and at the net. Alexander forged a slight advantage in the shortest and mid-range rallies, leading 6-3 in the most advanced exchanges and emerging at the top.
Zverev overcomes a slow start and saves a set point in the opener
Griekspoor held at love in the first game of the duel and created a break chance in the next one after a loose forehand from Zverev. World no. 3 saved it with a service winner and held, avoiding an early setback. Tallon grabbed the third game with a powerful serve and generated another break chance in the next one after the rival's backhand mistake. Alexander attacked and caused an error from his opponent, surviving another challenging game and locking the result at 2-2. The Dutchman provided his third comfortable hold in game five with an unreturned serve, hoping for more chances on the return. Instead, the German closed the sixth game at love with a powerful serve and mirrored that at 3-4 to remain on the positive side. Griekspoor faced deuces in the ninth game before welcoming Zverev's backhand error, forging another advantage and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Tallon attacked on the return at 5-4, earning a set point with a powerful forehand. He placed a backhand wide, allowing world no. 3 to survive and extend the battle. The lower-ranked player landed a drop shot winner in the 11th game, holding at 15 before Alexander held at love a few minutes later to introduce a tie break. Griekspoor missed a routine forehand in the fourth game, falling 3-1 behind and finding himself in a challenging positive after Zverev's two service winners. World no. 3 landed a lob winner in the eighth point, moving 6-2 up and generating four set points. The German converted the first after the rival's wayward backhand, wrapping up the opener in 54 minutes.
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Alexander sails through his service games in the second set and provides a break
Alexander landed an ace at the beginning of the second set for a hold at love. Tallon fought well early on, locking the result at 2-2 with comfortable holds. Zverev secured the fifth game at love with a service winner and extended the next one after the rival's double fault. Griekspoor hit another, facing a break point and losing serve after a forehand down the line winner from the other side of the net. The Dutchman squandered a 30-0 lead on the return in the seventh game and placed a forehand long to find himself 5-2 behind. Tallon extended the battle with a fine hold in the eighth before Alexander generated two match points in the next one with a service winner. World no. 3 seized the second with a forced error, booking a place in the last 16 and writing history books.
