Alexander Zverev reflects on tough five-set win over Jeremy Chardy

Rising German star Alexander Zverev admitted his Australian Open second round clash against Jeremy Chardy was physically and mentally demanding. The fourth-seeded German survived a scare at Melbourne Park on Thursday as he edged out world No.

36 Chardy 7-6 (5) 6-4 5-7 6-7 (6) 6-1 in three hours and 46 minutes. Yeah, I think if you go five sets, its always energy consuming, especially today, being two sets to love up, then two sets all. A lot of nerves involved, as well, Zverev said post-match.

Chardy saved four break points in the 11th game of the third set before he broke Zverev in the following set to win the set. The Frenchman then saved a total of breakpoints and a match point in the fourth set to force a decider.

However, Zverev kept his focus as he cruised past the fifth set to set up a third-round meeting against Australian wildcard Alex Bolt, who stunned Gilles Simon in a five-setter. I thought the match was very high quality, high level.

Jeremy started playing really, really well in the second and third set — third and fourth, sorry, Zverev claimed. I knew if I stayed strong, if I keep doing what Im doing, Ill get my chances.

I actually had my chances in all sets. Didnt manage to break. Matches can turn around quickly. Im just happy to kind of be in the third round. Zverev was happy with the way he responded after losing the third and fourth set.

I mean, it was good. I was never two sets to love up and then two sets all. That was my first time today. It was definitely helpful that I won this match. Im still in the tournament, first of all, but also for myself its very helpful, as well, Zverev acknowledged.

World No. 155 Bolt nearly quit tennis a few years ago but eventually decided to give it another shot and now he has made the Australian Open third round for the first time in his career. But yeah, I mean, his journey is quite amazing.

Hes playing really good tennis right now. Obviously being in the third round, beating Gilles Simon, which is never easy, Zverev said ahead of his upcoming match against Bolt. Im happy for him.

But in two days time, Ill be playing him. Ill do everything I can to prevent him going further. Also read: TA boss wants Bernard Tomic – Lleyton Hewitt behind closed doors meeting