Alexander Zverev’s 2022 season ended on Court Philippe-Chatrier via a brutal ankle injury. The timing of the injury could not have come at a worse time as the German was on the brink of his first French Open final appearance. He is back in Paris a year later, looking to once again make his presence felt at Roland Garros.
Zverev started his 2023 French Open with a 7-6(6) 7-6(0) 6-1 victory over Lloyd Harris. It was not the crispest performance from the German (7 double-faults & 42 unforced errors), but he raised his level in the crucial moments of the match. Zverev showed aggression and variety in his game that, if honed in, could make him a very dangerous out in Paris.
The 26-year-old German’s comeback from his ankle injury in Paris has been long and arduous. His current world ranking of No. 27 is 24 spots lower than where he was last year and his lowest mark since Sept. 2016. Zverev holds a 17-14 record this season and struggled to find his footing earlier in the year. Since the tour transitioned to the clay, Zverev’s game has become more comfortable and consistent. He is 9-5 on the surface, with three losses coming to Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev (twice).
Although his level may not quite be back to what it was at last year’s French Open, Zverev is not a player the top seeds want to encounter as the tournament progresses.
He is set to square off against the ever-tricky Slovakian Alex Molcan in Round 2. Molcan picked up a straightforward 6-1 7-6(4) 6-4 first-round victory over Frenchman Hugo Gaston. The 25-year-old holds a 6-3 mark during the European clay-court season and has the tools to trouble Zverev. That said, the German is the favorite to advance in this match.
If Zverev is to get past Molcan, that will set up a Round of 32 match against the winner of Frances Tiafoe and Aslan Karatsev. Both men would provide their respective challenges to the German but neither would be insurmountable. Zverev has dominated the head-to-head against Tiafoe, holding a 6-1 advantage.
From there, a Round of 16 match-up with Jannik Sinner is likely. To win that encounter would require a significant raise in level, but once you reach the second week of a Slam, nothing is off the table.
The former world No. 2 has dealt with his fair share of struggles during his return to the Tour. Even if it does not end in the German raising The Musketeers’ Cup, a strong run in Paris would be an excellent springboard for Zverev into the busy summer ATP calendar.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
