Alexander Zverev sets up Thiem showdown after another five-set grind

• German beat Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
• Dominic Thiem eased past Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4

Alexander Zverev had not played a five-set match in two previous visits to Roland Garros. On Sunday he completed his third in five days, guided by his Russian-born father, to beat the talented young Muscovite Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in just under three and a half hours.

To borrow from Fred Trueman, if the 21-year-old Zverev does win this French Open “he’ll be bloody tired”, although he gave no indication he was about to collapse in a heap on Court Suzanne Lenglen after breaking down the resistance of the 22‑year‑old Khachanov, the world No 38.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2stZoaX