In a thrilling quarter-final showdown at the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic staged a remarkable comeback against Alexander Zverev, securing his spot in the semi-finals where he’ll face off against Jannik Sinner.
The 38-year-old Serbian, aiming to claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title, overcame an initial setback to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in Paris. This victory makes Djokovic the oldest semi-finalist at Roland-Garros in nearly six decades.
Djokovic’s next challenge will be the top-seeded Sinner, who cruised to a straight-sets win over Alexander Bublik earlier in the day.
Both players had faced challenges in their recent forms since their last encounter at the 2025 Australian Open, where Djokovic retired due to a hamstring injury and Zverev struggled after a heavy defeat to Sinner in the final.
However, they both found their stride on the clay courts of Paris, demonstrating their top-level skills during the gripping match on Wednesday.
Zverev, seeded third, kicked things off strong, breaking Djokovic in the first game. He maintained the pressure, holding off a break point at 4-3 before taking the first set.
Djokovic displayed his characteristic resilience, breaking early in the second set and establishing a 4-1 lead after saving a break point. Despite excellent exchanges, Zverev’s game faltered in the third set, allowing Djokovic to pull away.
Struggling, Zverev was broken again in the fourth set’s opening game but rallied to create opportunities later in the set. He saved four match points as Djokovic served, but ultimately could not convert his chances before Djokovic clinched victory after three hours and twenty minutes.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic remarked: “At my age, it’s not easy to run like I used to. I aimed to set the rhythm with drop shots. Tonight was a key reason why I continue to play.”
In the other men’s semi-final, reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to face Lorenzo Musetti, while the women’s semi-finals will unfold on Thursday.
Sinner Advances with Authority
Jannik Sinner showcased his impressive form, overpowering Kazakhstan’s Bublik with a dominant 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 performance. This victory marked a significant milestone; Sinner became the first Italian man to reach six Grand Slam semi-finals, extending his winning streak at major tournaments to 19 matches following his titles at the US Open and the Australian Open earlier this year.
“I’m thrilled to make it to the semi-finals. It’s a special occasion in such prestigious tournaments,” Sinner said. He acknowledged the challenges of facing Djokovic, emphasizing the need to stay consistent against a seasoned competitor.
With Sinner and countryman Musetti both reaching the finals, it marks an unprecedented achievement for Italian men in Grand Slam history, mirroring a similar feat in 1960.
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