Alexander Zverev left doubled over on French Open court as he reveals disgusting thing he did during Djokovic loss
BUZZING Novak Djokovic became the oldest man to make the French Open semi-finals since 1968 – as mosquito-munching Alexander Zverev choked once again.
The 38-year-old Serbian is showing no signs of slowing down and he won his 22nd consecutive match in three years on Parisian clay.
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A 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory over the lanky German, 28, close to midnight on Wednesday secured him a last-four date with Jannik Sinner, the world No.1, on Friday.
No.3 seed Zverev took the lead after 49 minutes, the first set that Djokovic had dropped this tournament.
Yet after he revealed to the umpire that 'I've swallowed about 50 flies already', his fortunes swiftly changed and Djokovic swarmed all over him.
There was one astonishing 41-shot rally that by rights Djokovic should not have won but somehow he did in game six of the fourth set.
Zverev – who lost the 2024 singles final to Carlos Alcaraz despite being 2-1 up – has a habit of bottling the big occasions.
And he lost for the ninth time in his 14 meetings with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic – who claimed the second set with a drop shot – might have ditched Andy Murray pre-Paris as his coach but he has not forgotten how to win tennis matches, especially ones that last more than three hours, although he did seal it on his fifth match point.
It was 57 years ago that a 40-year-old Richard Pancho Gonzales from America made it this far but he ended up losing to Rod Laver.
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Earlier in the day, Sinner bashed up Bublik Enemy No.1 6-1 7-5 6-0 in 11 minutes shy of two hours.
Ever-reliable Jannik Sinner won a 19th consecutive Grand Slam match as he eliminated British No.1 Jack Draper's drop-shotting conqueror Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals.
Novak Djokovic digs out French Open rival for 'spying' on him and seeing Champions League trophy
Bublik, 27, produced 37 unforced errors and only nailed six drop-shot winners, which is half of what he achieved against the Brit.
Sinner, the No.1 seed, won the 2024 US Open and then backed that up by lifting the Australian Open in January – it could be three majors in a row come Sunday night.
He said: 'We have played a couple of times before so we knew what to expect.
'But in the other way with him, you never know what is happening. He has beaten some tough players to get there.
'I tried to stay focused on my side of the court. Play as solidly as possible. He can have some ups and downs.
'I tried to stay consistent the whole match and serve well in the important matches.
'It was a good performance from my side. It was a bit windy and breezy, so things can be complicated.
'I warmed up in the hotel because it was rainy, then the sun came out. A lot of different challenges.'
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- BBC News
Reaction & analysis as Sinner and Alcaraz reach French Open final
Update: Date: 22:00 BST 6 June Title: Thanks for joining us Content: That's everything from us as the men's semi-finals draw to a close. So, it's world number one Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to meet in the final on Sunday. We'll be back tomorrow for the women's singles final when it's also world number one Aryna Sabalenka against second seed Coco Gauff. We will also be covering the men's doubles final when British duo Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury meet Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos. Here's a little bedtime reading in the meantime: Update: Date: 21:59 BST 6 June Title: What is the prize money? Content: Victory for Jannik Sinner keeps him on track for a huge payday if he comes through against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. The total prize money for the French Open is 56.352m euros (£47.5m) - an increase on last year of 5.21%. The men's and women's singles champions will win 2.55m euros (£2.15m), with the runner-up taking home 1.275m euros (£1.07m). Update: Date: 21:57 BST 6 June Title: Top-tier finals Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic The top-two players in the world have reached the finals in both the men's and women's singles at a single Grand Slam event for the first time since the US Open 2013 (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka). Update: Date: 21:55 BST 6 June Title: 'It will be an amazing final' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (7-3) Djokovic Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds The thing that Novak Djokovic tried to do today is Carlos' natural game. The variation, the drop shots, coming to the net. Novak can do it, but he would like to be as machine-like as Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz will play very well within a comfort zone. I'm sure it will be an amazing final and I can't wait for it. Update: Date: 21:52 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic On Sunday, two players born in 2000s - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner - meet in a men's singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time. Let's do an early poll. Thumbs up if world number one Sinner wins or thumbs down for defending champion Alcaraz. Update: Date: 21:50 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) The way Djokovic played as a 38-year-old just shows me how far away Sinner is to his level at his peak. Best male tennis player to grace the game. To be the sixth best player in the world at his age is an indictment on the talent pool at the moment. 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It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players. "What he is doing is incredible. I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis. "He achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport. Playing against him here is amazing. "Of course, I tried not to think about this, but before you're on court you feel the tension. I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way. "I am very happy with how I did that today." Update: Date: 21:41 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner now boasts four successive wins over Novak Djokovic, dating back to November 2023. He is yet to drop a set at this year's French Open and will delighted to have seen off Novak Djokovic in straight sets as he now switches his attention to Carlos Alcaraz. Let's hear from the Italian. 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Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds It's like in football when you have a team pressing on you and at one point you will make a mistake. That's how it feels to play Jannik Sinner. Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with a booming forehand and Novak Djokovic, forced deep behind the baseline, can only return into the net. Djokovic needs a break back quickly or his dream of winning a 25th Grand Slam title will be put on pause until Wimbledon. A couple of holds and Sinner is firmly in control. Update: Date: 21:25 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Before this ends and we give Sinner his rightful plaudits. A word for Djokovic at 38 years of age, still fighting with the best young player in the world and battling like he's the same age. Too disliked in his time, he will be better recognised once he's gone. Zac Update: Date: 21:24 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-2) Djokovic Back on serve and Novak Djokovic quickly moves on from that error. A couple of points in the bag will do his mood the world of good. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: 'Djokovic stopped moving his feet' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds We just had a replay and Novak Djokovic stopped moving his feet. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with another wide serve to extend his lead. Oh no. Novak Djokovic is teed up with the easiest of shots to volley but he gets it's all wrong and it's straight into the net.
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