Zverev’s 49-Shot Save Tops Memorable Match Point Moments

There’s no greater pressure in tennis than facing match point. If you lose the point, you lose the match. There have been memorable moments over the years when players saved match point and eventually triumphed.

Alexander Zverev did this in an extreme way at the 2017 Coupe Rogers. In his opening match, the German saved three match points before defeating Richard Gasquet in a third-set tie-break. One of those match points, at 5-6, 30/40 in the decider, featured a 49-shot rally, which Zverev finished off with a forehand winner.

“It definitely helped that I won the point against Gasquet, otherwise I would be in Cincinnati right now,” Zverev said after his next match against Nick Kyrgios.

Zverev took full advantage of that save, going on to lift the trophy in Montreal with wins over Kyrgios, Kevin Anderson, Denis Shapovalov and Roger Federer.

At the same tournament, Gael Monfils saved four match points before defeating Kei Nishikori in a final-set tie-break to reach the Round of 16.

“I’m more than happy because I fought through the toughness, because it was tough for me,” Monfils said. “It was a bit like a rollercoaster.”

Other memorable match point saves include when Rafael Nadal battled from the brink against Novak Djokovic at the 2009 Mutua Madrid Open and Andy Murray saved seven match points against Philipp Kohlschreiber at the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.