Alexander Zverev has moved to within one match of a long-awaited first grand slam title after defeating the Czech 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the French Open semi-final on Friday. The second seed and ATP No. 3 will contest his fourth career grand slam final on Sunday, returning to the championship match at Roland Garros for the second time.
Zverev's Path to the Final
Zverev, 29, has experienced heartbreak in previous grand slam finals. He lost the 2020 US Open final in a fifth-set tie-break against Dominic Thiem after leading by two sets and serving for the match. He was then defeated by Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open in 2024 and by Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final. Despite winning titles at all other levels, including Masters 1000 events, the ATP Finals, and an Olympic gold medal, Zverev has often been criticised for lacking courage in the most important moments of majors.
Following the early exits of top seed Sinner and 24-time champion Novak Djokovic, all eyes shifted to Zverev. He was handed a favourable draw, with Mensik at No. 27 being the highest-ranked opponent he faced. Felix Auger-Aliassime's defeat on Wednesday ensured Zverev would not meet a top-10 opponent in any of his seven matches.
Mensik's Challenge
Mensik, a 20-year-old generational talent, boasts one of the most destructive serves in the game and an impressively complete skill set, including excellent movement, net play, and a sweet two-handed backhand. However, his physicality and toughness have been issues, and his weaker forehand has often been a technical weakness. Zverev praised his opponent, saying, "Amazing the way he played these last two weeks. He beat so many unbelievable players and I knew it was going to be the toughest challenge that I had so far. I managed, I won. I'm happy."
Match Highlights
Mensik created the first clear opportunity in the opening set, generating three break points on Zverev's serve at 4-3. Zverev saved the first with an unreturned first serve, then Mensik was too passive on the second, allowing Zverev to attack. On the third, Mensik badly shanked a forehand long, and Zverev held. At 5-5, Mensik served a catastrophic game, striking two double faults and then a poor drop shot on set point to hand over the decisive break. Zverev carried himself with composure, finding big first serves on big points and attacking his forehand more readily than in previous years.
Mensik had navigated two tight five-set matches en route to the semi-final, including a straight-sets win over Joao Fonseca. However, his physical recovery from a collapse in the second round, where he was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, caught up with him. He focused his remaining energy into a brief third-set fightback but lost his serve early in the fourth set and had little left to give.
Zverev's Opportunity
While the men's draw has seen top seeds fall early and remaining players battle through marathon matches, Zverev has used his experience to maintain momentum. His focus has rarely wavered over the past 12 days. He knows this is an opportunity he cannot afford to miss, one that may never come again, and it seems increasingly likely he will seize it.
