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5 Jun 2026 | 16.32
Alexander Zverev is on the verge of achieving the great goal of his career. The German qualified for the final of Roland Garros 2026 after defeating Jakub Mensik by 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, and 6-3 in a semifinal that confirmed his favorite status and highlighted the huge physical wear accumulated by the Czech over the past two weeks in Paris.
This will be Zverev's fourth Grand Slam final and the second at Roland Garros after the one he lost in 2024 to Carlos Alcaraz. The German will have a new opportunity to conquer that great title he has been pursuing for years and that has eluded him so many times. He will face either Matteo Arnaldi or Flavio Cobolli, two unexpected names for a final that could definitively mark his legacy.
Zverev won a first set that set the tone
The match started exactly as expected. Lots of equality, few long exchanges, and services dominating the scene. Both Zverev and Mensik were scoring easy points with their serves and building their games relatively comfortably. However, from the outset, there was a significant difference noticeable. The German seemed physically fresher. He reached the shots better, moved more smoothly, and found comfort in the baseline exchanges. Mensik, on the other hand, began to show signs of the huge effort accumulated during the tournament.
The Czech had a great opportunity in the set with a 4-3 lead. A slight drop from Zverev allowed Mensik to have 15-40 and subsequently a new advantage that would have almost sealed the set. But then came the German's serve. Zverev managed to escape the tough situation and levelled the score to 4-4. When it reached 5-5, the German didn't forgive. Zverev seized his first break point of the match to break Mensik's serve and then closed the set convincingly at 7-5. Beyond the score, the feeling was that Mensik had lost a significant psychological battle.
The German accelerated when he sensed weakness
What happened in the second set was a natural extension of the first's ending. Zverev sensed his opponent's physical weakness and didn't ease up. He broke in the third game and quickly took a 3-1 lead with a set and break advantage. The German was playing with a solidity that left Mensik with very few opportunities. He was very reliable with his serve, exceptionally solid with his backhand, and, most importantly, hitting his forehand decisively. A shot that historically had raised doubts in significant matches but this time worked as an offensive weapon.
Meanwhile, Mensik was struggling more and more with lateral movements. The Czech kept fighting, but the physical freshness was no longer the same. Mensik could only win four points on return throughout the set. A devastating statistic that perfectly explains what happened. Zverev broke again to lead 5-2 and closed the set with a love game. The 6-2 put him just a set away from the final.
Mensik's final roar came in the third set
The big question was whether the Czech still had the energy to react. The answer was affirmative. With nothing to lose, Mensik started the third set much more aggressively. He began taking risks, speeding up his shots, and constantly looking to shorten the points. He was aware that trying to match Zverev's rhythm from the baseline was leading him straight to defeat.
The match then witnessed one of its most remarkable moments when Mensik temporarily left the court for medical attention. Eight minutes later, he returned running to Chatrier. And he came back transformed. The Czech found reward for his courage in the sixth game. Two masterful drop shots against a deeply positioned Zverev allowed him to break the German's serve and take the lead on the scoreboard. This time, he didn't let the opportunity slip away. Mensik consolidated the break and closed the set at 6-3 with a love game. Roland Garros had another semifinal.
Zverev extinguished any hint of a comeback
Doubts inevitably arose at the start of the fourth set. Could Mensik maintain that level? Would the ghosts of previous important matches for Zverev resurface? The German responded immediately. After holding his first service game, he broke the Czech's serve in the next game and eliminated any uncertainty. Shortly after, he consolidated the advantage to lead 3-0 and take a gigantic step towards victory.
He even had two more break points that would have nearly sealed the match. Mensik resisted due to his competitive pride, but he never seriously threatened the German's lead again. Zverev regained the solid and reliable form he had shown for much of the match, managed the lead perfectly, and closed the match smoothly. Paris once again opens its doors to a final. And this time, more than ever, he feels that the coveted Grand Slam title is within reach.
Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale Zverev, a un paso de la eternidad
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