Alexander Zverev reaches Roland Garros semifinal

Alexander Zverev moved into the Roland Garros semifinals on Tuesday with a straight-sets win over Rafael Jódar, ending the Spanish teenager’s run in Paris and keeping the No. 2 seed on course for another deep French Open. The official Roland Garros result listed the score as 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match lasted 2 hours 25 minutes, according to the tournament site. Zverev’s semifinal opponent will be João Fonseca or Jakub Menšík, who were due to play later Tuesday. ### How did Zverev take control after a tight start? Rafael Jódar led 5-2 in the first set before Zverev came back to force a tiebreak and win it 7-3, according to the ATP Tour and Roland Garros live coverage. That swing shaped the match. After taking the opener, Zverev lost only four more games across the final two sets. (rolandgarros.com) Alexander Zverev said the match was “difficult” in his on-court interview, the ATP Tour reported, after Jódar pushed him early with aggressive play. Roland Garros said Zverev then settled into longer rallies and controlled the quarterfinal with what its match report called punishing baseline tennis. (atptour.com) ### What does this run say about Zverev’s tournament so far? The ATP Tour said Zverev has dropped only one set through five matches at this year’s tournament. Roland Garros said Tuesday’s win sent him into another semifinal in Paris, underlining how steady his progress through the draw has been this year. (atptour.com) Court Philippe-Chatrier hosted a match that, on paper, paired the established contender with one of the event’s breakout younger players. Roland Garros identified Jódar as the No. 27 seed in the match listing, while ATP coverage described the 19-year-old as playing in his first major quarterfinal. (atptour.com) ### Who is Rafael Jódar, and what did he leave Paris with? Rafael Jódar left Roland Garros after the biggest Grand Slam run of his career. The ATP Tour said the Spaniard, 19, told reporters after the loss that he could take confidence from the result, saying, “I can compete against anyone.” (rolandgarros.com) Roland Garros live coverage said Jódar’s ranking was projected to rise to around No. 23 in the live ATP standings, depending on other results. That projection was cited as he prepared to move on to the grass-court season. ### Who does Zverev play next in Paris? João Fonseca and Jakub Menšík were scheduled to meet later Tuesday for the remaining men’s semifinal place opposite Zverev, according to Roland Garros live coverage. (atptour.com) The tournament said that semifinal is set for Friday. João Fonseca arrived in that quarterfinal after beating Casper Ruud in the previous round, Roland Garros said on Monday. (rolandgarros.com) That left Zverev waiting on one of two younger opponents as he seeks another final at the clay-court major. ### What comes next on Tuesday at Roland Garros? (rolandgarros.com) Tuesday’s schedule in Paris continued with the Fonseca-Menšík quarterfinal and the rest of the tournament’s final-eight matches, according to the Roland Garros site. Zverev’s result made him the first men’s semifinalist confirmed from that side of the draw. Friday’s semifinal will determine whether Alexander Zverev can turn another strong run in Paris into a place in the championship match. (rolandgarros.com) For now, the official bracket shows one completed quarterfinal: Zverev through in straight sets, Jódar out after a first-set lead slipped away. (rolandgarros.com 1) (rolandgarros.com 2)