Zverev powers into French Open last 16

German tennis star beats Cecchinato 6-1, 7-5, 6-3 to set up clash with Italian Sinner

PARIS:

Germany's Alexander Zverev dismantled Marco Cecchinato 6-1 7-5 6-3 in under two hours on Friday to move into the French Open last 16 where he will meet Italy's rising star Jannik Sinner.

Zverev, who did not play any claycourt events following last month's run to the US Open final, was dominant and grabbed two quick breaks to wrap up the first set after 25 minutes.

Italian Cecchinato, a surprise semi-finalist in Paris in 2018, improved his game to hold his serve as he attempted to move the sixth-seeded German around more.

Zverev's unforced errors increased briefly and the 28-year-old Cecchinato, ranked 110th, earned his first break to serve for the set at 5-4.

But he lost his cool and slammed his racket on the ground as Zverev won the next six games in a row including wrapping up the second set.

The German had no trouble clinching the third as he finished off his opponent with his third match point after an hour and 47 minutes.

Friday's performance was in sharp contrast with the previous round, where Zverev was taken into a five-set marathon by Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

"I am definitely much happier with my game (than against Herbert). I worked on a few things yesterday. I was very unsatisfied with myself two days ago, but I still won," said Zverev.

"So that was more important. I know that with every round I have to play better and better, otherwise I will not have a chance."​ Zverev will definitely need to be close to his best when he takes on Sinner, who has yet to drop a set on his Roland Garros debut.

"He is playing incredible. I don’t think he lost a set yet, so he is somebody that is definitely coming up and playing really well right now," he said.

"He is somebody who has a lot of power. We will see how the match goes, but I feel like I am playing better and maybe I have a little more experience. But the young guys, they have no fear, no reason to be nervous, so it can go both ways." 

Bertens rolls past Siniakova into last 16

Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens showed no ill-effects from her brutal French Open campaign as she eased into the last 16 with a routine 6-2 6-2 win over Katerina Siniakova on Friday.

Fifth seed Bertens saved a match point and was overcome by cramps after her win against Sara Errani on Wednesday, leaving the court in agony seated in a wheelchair.

She had also struggled past Katarina Zavatska in round one and had spent more than five hours on court, so was grateful as she rolled past an error-prone Siniakova in 58 minutes.

Bertens was especially impressive on serve, landing 81% of her first serves in the first set, allowing Siniakova few opportunities to get into the match.

The 28-year-old said the match being switched to under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof because of the rain delays during the day had been a big help.

"The clay was dry, also the balls don't get wet. They're bouncing more. It's easier to serve. Yeah, I think in general in every aspect of my game that's helping me a lot."

Bertens is through to the fourth round for the third time, including a run to the semi-finals in 2016, and after her early problems is looking forward to pushing on.

"It's always special I think when you reach the second week of a Grand Slam. I'm just happy to be here still," she said.

"I'm just hungry for more. I'm just going to see what's going to happen. I'm just going to prepare as good as I can, yeah, then we see again on Sunday."

Bertens faces Martina Trevisan for a quarter-final spot after the Italian caused a shock by beating 24th-ranked Greek Maria Sakkari. Trevisan’s win means two qualifiers have reached the last 16 after Argentine Nadia Podoroska's victory earlier.