Alexander Zverev outlasts Fabio Fognini as Dominic Thiem produces his ‘best match so far’

Alexander Zverev required four sets to see off Fabio Fognini in the last 16 of the French Open with his reward a clash against world No 1 Novak Djokovic.
The fifth-seeded Zverev required two five setters in two of his first three matches at Roland Garros and on Tuesday he came from a set down to beat the Italian 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in just under three hours.
“I didn’t start well and he did. He played very aggressive, hitting the ball very hard, which made it difficult,” the German said. “But then after first set, I played three very good sets, very solid from my part. And I’m happy to be in the quarter-finals.”
Zverev was broken twice in the first set, but the ninth-seeded Fognini didn’t get another break off his serve after that.
He will be up against a fresh Djokovic in the last eight after the world No 1 took just three sets to beat Jan Lennard-Struff.
"I thought to myself, after every match, I'm gonna say something positive."
Alexander Zverev talks with @BrettHaber about his newfound positivity and what he needs to do to beat Djokovic in the quarterfinals.#RG19 @AlfaRomeoUSA pic.twitter.com/sCG6KPoaI3
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 3, 2019
Last year’s runner-up Dominic Thiem continues to impress as the fourth seed was a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 winner over Gael Monfils from France.
Thiem, who will face either Juan Martin del Potro or Karan Khachanov in the quarter-final, raced into a 4-0 lead as he broke the 14th seed twice and Monfils never really recovered.
“It was a really good match, my best match so far in this tournament,” said Thiem. “It was the first match for me at this tournament, where it didn’t have any up-and-downs. It was really solid. I’m very happy.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas news: World No 5 explains why tennis is the ‘most difficult’ sport
The smallest mistake can change everything in a match.
-
Wimbledon
British star urges ATP to make a decision on Russia sanctions as crisis grows
Tennis players around the world are facing…
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic about to join a unique club as he closes in on another record
The win against Auger Aliassime took his career total to 999 wins.
-
Tennis News
Boris Becker news: German confident he’ll be out of British prison by Christmas
He wants to go to a prison in his homeland.
-
ATP Tour
Casper Ruud credits strong first serve with helping him oust Denis Shapovalov
Casper Ruud reached his fifth ATP 1000 semi-final on Friday.
-
WTA Tour
Ons Jabeur fights back from the brink to reach first Italian Open semi
Ons Jabeur has won ten in a row on clay.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s streak goes on as she marches into last four in Rome
Swiatek claimed a 7-6(2), 6-0 victory against Bianca Andreescu to make it 26 in a row.
-
ATP Tour
Italian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up another clash with Alexander Zverev
Stefanos Tsitsipas meets Alexander Zverev in the last four for the second week in a row.
-
Tennis News
Russian tennis chief hits back at ‘nobody’ Elina Svitolina while he also thanks top players for their ‘support’
Russian tennis boss takes aim at Elina Svitolina.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal determined to ‘keep dreaming about French Open goal’ despite fresh setback
It’s a case of wait and see for Rafael Nadal.