New Delhi: Novak Djokovic took last year’s French Open finalist Alexander Zverev in his stride in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win and will meet World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the clay-court major.
It was a statement performance from the 24-rime Grand Slam champion at Roland Garros on Wednesday evening, reminding everyone that he continued to be at the top of the game despite recent sturuggle.
The Serb reached a record-extending 51st Grand Slam semi-final and showed he has got more gas in the tank than No. 3 seed Zverev, who’s a decade younger, improving to 9-5 in head-to-head meetings.
The 38-year-old tumbled to successive opening-round defeats at the beginning of his clay-court season since then has rediscovered his form in his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
He began his Roland Garros campaign after lifting his 100th tour-level title in Geneva, and is now on a nine-match winning streak. His win against Zverev was his 101st victory at the clay-court major.
“Evidently there was a lot of pressure at the end, Zverev has been one of the best players in the world over the past six years,” said Djokovic. “Matches like this tonight are the reason why I still want to play and compete.”
“I still push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kind of matches and these kind of experiences,” Djokovic said. “It’s a proven kind of testament to myself that I can — and to others that I can — still play on the highest level.”
Three-time champion Djokovic now faces top seed Sinner, who cruised past Alexander Bublik 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. Sinner is yet to drop a set so far in his campaign and has lost only 36 games in five matches.
Djokovic and Sinner have each won four matches in their head-to-head meetings though the Italian has won their last three meetings.
“He has shown now, in the last period, that he is back,” Sinner said.
“I just hope that I will be able to physically keep up with Sinner in few days’ time. It’s a big challenge for me,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win and will meet World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the French Open Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
