After missing out on the majority of the 2022 season and returning to the ATP Tour in 2023, Alexander Zverev still struggles with his form and can't find his A game.
This time, the 25-year-old competed at the 2023 Rotterdam Open. In the first round, he defeated Soonwoo Kwon, but he couldn't outplay the home player, Tallon Griekspoor in the second round, as he's yet to win two consecutive matches in 2023.
The 2020 US Open finalist was entering the match as a favourite after his previous victory, and previously beating the Dutch player at Wimbledon two years ago. Moreover, he started well, winning the first set 6-4 after not facing any break points.
But things started soon turning around. Griekspoor broke the German early in the second set and he maintained his advantage throughout the set to win it 6-3 and force a decider.
In the third set, Zverev had three break points to go into a 3-1 lead. However, he couldn't use his chances, and soon his opponent started dominating the game.
Griekspoor hit 14 winners in the third set and he won nine consecutive points to break his opponent and gain a crucial lead.
After an hour and 59 minutes, Griekspoor defeated the eighth-seeded Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and he will await the fourth-seeded Holger Rune or compatriot Gijs Brouwer in the quarterfinals.
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