Andy Roddick says what he finds ‘so weird’ about the narrative around Alexander Zverev as he progresses at Roland Garros

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Alexander Zverev has continued his campaign for a first Grand Slam title at the French Open.

Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli in his latest match in Paris, reaching the second week of the French Open for the eighth time in his career.

The German was able to beat Cobolli in straight sets, with Zverev utilising his backhand in particular to overcome the in-form Italian.

Despite Zverev reaching the French Open final last year, former world number one Andy Roddick has suggested that he is being underestimated.

Andy Roddick says what he finds ‘weird’ about the narrative around Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros

Zverev has suffered mixed results coming into the French Open this year, suffering early exits in Monte Carlo and Hamburg.

The world number three is still one of the favourites for the title this year, and the aforementioned Roddick has spoken about his confusion about the narrative with Zverev.

Roddick praised Zverev for raising his level at Grand Slam tournaments, and also claimed that American Ben Shelton does something similar at the biggest tournaments.

“It’s so weird because the narrative around Zverev is that he hasn’t won a major,” Roddick said on his Served podcast. “That he can’t win that major. But what is lost in that narrative is that he is so good in majors.

“He is definitely better in the extended format against most players on Earth, maybe save for three or four. But against most of Earth, the three out of five set format favours Zverev. I think Shelton is the same. I think there is a handful of guys who are the same.”

Despite praising Zverev, Roddick went on to predict him to lose to Novak Djokovic if they were to meet in the French Open quarter-finals.

Alexander Zverev vs Tallon Griekspoor Head-to-head

If Zverev is to reach that quarter-final against Djokovic, he will have to overcome Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor.

While he has a 7-2 advantage against Griekspoor, many of these victories have been extremely tight.

This includes their match at Roland Garros last year, where Griekspoor led 4-1 in the deciding set before Zverev fought back.

Zverev and Griekspoor have played twice already this year, with both players getting one win apiece.

Zverev and Griekspoor will add the next chapter in their fascinating rivalry on Monday, June 1.