Alexander Zverev Wins Against Rafel Jodar, Reaches French Open Semifinal

 

Alexander Zverev held off an early scare from Rafael Jodar, winning the match in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semifinal of the French Open. 

The German is yet to win a Grand Slam in his career. The closest he has come to lifting a trophy in Roland Garros was in 2024, in his maiden final appearance, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in an intriguing five sets. Earlier this season, he lost to the Spaniard in the semifinal of the Australian Open. 

However, his match against Rafael was hard-fought. In the opening set, he rallied from 2-5 winning four games and breaking at 5-5 to claim the set. The second set was a breeze for him, but Rafael was resilient in the decider. 

Rafael saved a break in the third game after Zverev led by two game to love. His effort to stage a rally was quickly contained at 4-3, as the German won two more games, breaking in the last to claim a match point. 

Zverev got a head lead, winning in his first meeting with the Spaniard. Rafael had played through five blistering sets in two previous matches. Despite the loss, the 19-year-old has proven to be a strong contender, and has reached, at least, the quarterfinal of every event he has participated in since the Barcelona Open.