In the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament, there are no longer any easy opponents. So Alexander Zverev spoke in his press conference after the safe 6: 2, 7: 5 and 6: 2 against the Serb Laslo Djere. The next not easy opponent will be Kei Nishikori on Sunday, against whom Zverev has already won twice on ashes this spring: smooth in Madrid, not quite as smooth in Rome.

Nishikori, who started the tournament unset, was given a lot of time and effort on Friday (well deserved after Nishikori had to go the full distance against both Alessandro Gianessi and Karen Khachanov). Opponent Henri Laaksonen had to retire due to injury after losing the first set. The Swiss had fought his way through the qualification, on the way in lap three very nonchalantly cleared Roberto Bautista Agut out of the way. Who should actually play against Zverev according to the setting.

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Zverev's biggest opponents beat themselves

How the dominoes fall all the way in the direction of the German number one. While Zverev plows through the tableau fairly safely, apart from small phases of weakness, which he knows how to repair immediately (yes, even after the two lost sets against Oscar Otte there was no panic in Zverev's camp), his nominally strongest opponents tumble the way to the semifinals from the tournament in rows.

After Dominic Thiem's opening defeat, Casper Ruud was identified as the man who could torment Zverev the most in the round of the last eight. But the Norwegian had to admit defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in an epic battle. The Spaniard is one, veteran Federico Delbonis the other quarter-final option for Alexander Zverev. Could have been worse.

Federer on course Djokovic

Like for Roger Federer . However, the Swiss still has two hurdles to overcome to qualify for the round of the last eight. First of all, Dominik Koepfer, who Zverev certainly gives chances against the maestro. The German number one and Federer have been best friends since their joint South American tour in late autumn 2019 at the latest, they have not trained together during the French Open 2021. They play on different days, so there is no time for a sporty rendezvous.

Alexander Zverev is only surprised in one way about Roger Federer: The footwork of the almost 40-year-old Swiss is as strong as if he hadn't had to deal with two knee operations. But Federer will not only need good legs for Koepfer. after that Matteo Berrettini could wait, in the quarterfinals Novak Djokovic . So next to Rafael Nadal the least easy opponent in Roland Garros.

Here the single tableau in Roland Garros

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