Zverev wraps up the first set

New York Times

2 days ago

Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner were among those to advance to the French Open semifinals on Day 11. Getty Images
It was a busy quarterfinal Day 11 at Roland Garros.
Coco Gauff (2) has booked her in place in the 2025 French Open semifinals after winning in three sets (6-7, 6-4, 6-1) against Madison Keys (7).
She will take on home hope Loïs Boisson for a place in Saturday's final, after the French wild card stunned 18-year-old favorite and No. 6 seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6(6), 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
On the men's side, Novak Djokovic (6) defeated Alexander Zverev (3) in four sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic will face Jannik Sinner (1), who beat Alexander Bublik in three sets.
The women's semifinals are tomorrow while the men play on Friday.
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Zverev 6-4, 0-0* Djokovic
Three set points to the good and Zverev gets the job done with an ace.
He has not blinked under the pressure of playing this match against one of the greats of the sport — he looks in control but do not expect Djokovic to go down easily here.
The court looks pretty slow and heavy and Djokovic is having joy with drop shots so expect more of that in this second set. Getty Images
Zverev *5-4 Djokovic
Djokovic, tasked with saving the set as he stepped up to serve, does so dutifully.
His last point was so well devised that Zverev started to walk off to his seat before it had even been called.
Even so, he is one game away now from taking the first set. Getty Images
Zverev *5-3 Djokovic
That's some response from Zverev who saves break point.
In that game we had a lovely rally where Zverev cranked up the pressure with a drop shot, only for Djokovic to respond with one of his own to wrap up the point.
Then he pulls off an open stance backhand to conclude another rally from an improbable angle and take himself to break point.
There's a reason he has been so successful — even if Zverev managed to save break point and win a 29 shot rally that left both players out of puff. Getty Images
Zverev 4-3* Djokovic
Zverev holds his service game and then Djokovic does the same — but not without the German challenging a call from the line judge.
The decision was upheld upon closer inspection by the umpire but tennis fans will remember Zverev getting his phone out to take a photo of a disputed call not too long ago in Madrid. On that occasion he was unhappy with the electronic system, this time the call came from a human.
He is sitting incredibly deep when Djokovic serves, as he wraps up the game with an ace. Getty Images
Zverev 3-2* Djokovic
How decisive could that first game prove in the course of this first set?
Djokovic holds his service game and things are moving along nicely for now. As things stand, Zverev holds the advantage as he steps up to serve. Getty Images
Zverev 3-1* Djokovic
And there's the proof — some really strong serves see Zverev through that game.
He has worked hard on his first serve, where he wins more points than his second serve, to ensure he is getting the most out of it.
That's showing so far. Getty Images
Zverev *2-1 Djokovic
Well, switching out that racket had the desired effect for Djokovic.
He takes that game pretty easily to get on the board. It's still early and neither player is revealing much emotionally at this stage.
Both are looking good with Zverev up to serve — something he has done pretty well so far in this tournament. Getty Images
Zverev 2-0* Djokovic
That was a straightforward hold for Zverev.
But the interest in that game comes with both players tinkering with their rackets.
Between the first two games, Zverev handed his racket up to his father (who is also his coach) Alexander Zverev Sr. to re-grip the handle.
Meanwhile Djokovic headed over to his bag and changed out his racket to one with a different tension. Weather conditions appear to be playing their part in these decisions. Getty Images
Zverev 1-0* Djokovic
You get the impression we could be in for a bit of an epic between these two players tonight.
The match starts with some long rallies and a great beginning for Zverev as he breaks Djokovic's serve.
It's very early days, however, and the German does not show even a flicker of emotion after that positive start. Getty Images
Zverev 0-0* Djokovic
With Grand Slam title number 25 in his sights, Djokovic serves and gets us underway.
...and opts to serve first.
He's started his warm up now. Can he maintain his record of not dropping a set yet at this year's Roland Garros?
It seems a steep ask against opposition as talented as Zverev.
Novak Djokovic was left waiting for a moment there as Alexander Zverev was late for the walk out — here they come as they prepare to warm up.
Mind games from Zverev? Getty Images
He is the GOAT for a reason — Novak Djokovic has swept all before him over the years in Grand Slam tennis.
He picked up his 100th career title last month and officially became the oldest player to reach the quarterfinal at Roland Garros for 50 years when he booked this ticket to play Zverev tonight.
What drives him? In the end, it's pretty simple.
"History motivates me," he said in an interview on TNT Sports. "That is always my desire to make new records and to extend the records that I already made."
Novak Djokovic sits at 24 singles slam titles. He is tied with Margaret Court for the most slams (man or woman).
One more slam win and the Serb is in a class of his own with 25. Three wins away from his 25th slam and fourth French Open title. Getty Images
This is the 14th meeting between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. The Serb leads the German 8-5 in the career head to head.
Zverev won the last match against Djokovic at the Australian Open where he advanced after the 24-time slam champion retired due to injury.
With a win over rival Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev would advance to his 10th career slam semifinal. It would be a fifth semifinal appearance at Roland Garros for the German, the most for him at any slam.
Zverev has yet to win a slam in his career. He's made three finals, including Roland Garros last year and the Australian Open last January, going 0-3 in all of them.
Should Novak Djokovic win today, it would be his 13th semifinal at Roland Garros in his career. It would be back-to-back slam semifinals for the Serb in 2025.
Djokovic would improve to 101-16 all-time at Roland Garros in his career with a victory over Alexander Zverev.
This is the second time that Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have met at Roland Garros. They played against each other in 2019, where the Serb beat the German in straight sets 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.
Zverev got the better of Djokovic at the Italian Open final in 2017 where he won in straights 6-4, 6-3. With the two players 1-1 on clay in their careers against each other, it makes today's showdown all the more compelling. Getty Images
Below is the path that Alexander Zverev took to get to the Roland Garros quarterfinals: R1: d. Learner Tien (6-3, 6-3, 6-4)
R2: d. Jesper De Jong (3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3)
R3: d. Flavio Cobilli (6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-1)
R4: d. Tallon Griekspoor (6-4, 3-0 ret.)