French Open 2025: Zverev Eyeing Potential Alcaraz Matchup; Storms Into Last 16

Third seed Zverev, who lost to Alcaraz in last year’s title match at Roland Garros, secured his place in the last 16 with a three-set win over Italian Flavio Cobolli.

The three-time Grand Slam runner-up triumphed 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 in two hours and 30 minutes, and will next face 35th-ranked Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor.

“I honestly think that Carlos will be in the final, to be very fair," said Zverev.

Second seed Alcaraz won 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 against 69th-ranked Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in his third-round match on Friday, keeping his title defense on track. Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, arrived at Roland Garros as the favorite after winning the Monte Carlo Masters and the Italian Open in the build-up to the clay-court major.

However, his fluctuating performances in the past two rounds have given his rivals reason to believe he is vulnerable.

“I don’t think there is anybody on that side of the draw who will challenge him too much," continued Zverev.

“He’s the favorite, of course, coming into the tournament. I think everyone realized that. But all the contenders who can challenge him are in the top half of the draw. We will have to really battle it out, and he will enjoy watching it."

Zverev is in the same half of the draw as world number one Jannik Sinner and three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic, who is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam.

Regarding his next opponent Griekspoor, Zverev joked, “I play him almost every week."

The 28-year-old German leads 7-2 in their previous meetings, including both matches on clay.

“He’s the guy I’ve played the most in the last two years. I enjoy playing him. It’s always fun, weird matches. Most of the time high level, sometimes just crazy things happening. But I’m going to prepare myself for another battle, and if I continue playing the way I’m playing, I have confidence in my game."

Griekspoor battled past American Ethan Quinn 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-4 in three hours and 16 minutes to reach the fourth round in Paris for the first time.

Zverev has reached at least the semi-finals on each of his last four appearances at Roland Garros. “Cobolli probably should have won the second set, but I kept fighting, and then I had a bit of a mental advantage, and it went my way."

(with agency inputs)