TENNIS: Zverev spoils lucky loser De Jong's birthday with straight sets victory

PARIS — Second-seeded Alexander Zverev advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open with a commanding 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-1 victory over Dutch lucky loser Jesper De Jong on Sunday.

The win keeps Zverev on course in his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title, with Roland Garros widely regarded as his best opportunity to capture one. Several top contenders have already exited the tournament, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Zverev and De Jong exchanged service breaks in a competitive opening set before the German took control by winning the tiebreak. From there, the world No. 3 steadily asserted his dominance.

De Jong, ranked No. 106 in the world, was playing the biggest match of his career on his 26th birthday after entering the tournament as a lucky loser. However, he struggled to match Zverev's power and consistency from the baseline.

A regular fixture in the latter stages of the tournament, Zverev reached the French Open quarterfinals for the eighth time in his career. He earned two set points on De Jong's serve at 5-4 in the second set and converted the first when the Dutchman volleyed into the net.

The German carried that momentum into the third set, racing to a 3-0 lead before closing out the match when De Jong sent a backhand into the net.

Zverev will next face Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar, who has enjoyed a breakthrough run to the quarterfinals in his debut French Open appearance. Source: Reuters