French Open 2018: Zverev breaks new ground in another five-set thriller; Djokovic in 12th QF

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Paris, June 3: Alexander Zverev booked his place in a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time after a third consecutive five-set thriller at the French Open.

The world number three, as in the second and third rounds, came back from the brink to defeat Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

The Russian claimed the third set with ease to seemingly send Zverev towards the exit door once more, but the nature of his recovery made this a deserved triumph.

Zverev may well be punished if he turns in similarly erratic displays against better players - Dominic Thiem is potentially up next - but, for now, he will celebrate breaking new ground in a major.

The second seed is the youngest player remaining in the draw and the youngest to reach the last eight at Roland Garros since Juan Martin del Potro in 2008.

Early unforced errors saw the pair trade breaks, but it was not until late in the opening set, in sweltering conditions, that the match really started to hot up.

Khachanov held firm as Zverev pushed hard in a ninth game that proved pivotal when the German subsequently rescued two set points on serve but not a third, finding the net to hand his opponent the lead.

Another long slog was already on the cards for Zverev and he initially failed to serve out the second after breaking to get in front, fighting back from 0-40 down but then missing three opportunities to draw level in the match.

An ace in the tie-break did get the 21-year-old on the board, but his hard work was undone by successive breaks in the third after a double fault, allowing Khachanov to breeze back into the ascendancy.

Again Zverev came roaring back, though, and soon after being warned for court-side coaching and showing his frustration, he broke through to take control of the fourth.

And having capitalised on that advantage, another break followed in the first game of the final set when a sublime return forced Khachanov to play into the net.

Zverev then finally served up some consistency and ended on another break to continue this improbable streak of entertaining encounters.

Later, Novak Djokovic cruised into an Open Era-record 12th quarter-final with a straight-sets defeat of Fernando Verdasco.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion also matched Roger Federer's record of nine consecutive appearances in the last eight at Roland Garros with a dominant 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Djokovic has lost his way since completing a career Grand Slam in Paris two years ago, but he has been looking more like one of the modern-day greats this week after recovering from elbow surgery.

The 20th seed from Serbia dominated the Spaniard on Court Philippe Chatrier, beating him for a sixth consecutive time to book a meeting with surprise package Marco Cecchinato.

Verdasco made 48 unforced errors and grew increasingly furious with himself as he missed out on a first French Open quarter-final at the 16th attempt.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Djokovic [20] bt Verdasco [30] 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Djokovic - 21/29 Verdasco - 26/48

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Djokovic - 3/0 Verdasco - 3/2

BREAK POINTS WON Djokovic - 5/10 Verdasco - 1/5

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Djokovic - 72 Verdasco - 66

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Djokovic - 62/69 Verdasco - 56/54

TOTAL POINTS Djokovic - 106 Verdasco - 89

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Zverev [2] bt Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Zverev – 63/51 Khachanov – 45/51

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Zverev – 17/4 Khachanov – 9/4

BREAK POINTS WON Zverev – 5/13 Khachanov – 5/17

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Zverev – 67 Khachanov – 64

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Zverev – 73/48 Khachanov – 65/57

TOTAL POINTS Zverev – 156 Khachanov – 146

Source: OPTA