Zverev meets Mensik with eye on next step as Paris field blown open

PARIS, June 4 : Alexander Zverev will carry mounting expectations into Friday's French Open semi-final against dangerous Czech Jakub Mensik, as the second seed aims to close in on an elusive Grand Slam title after shock exits opened up the draw for him.

What began with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's injury withdrawal has turned into a tournament of surprises with world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic losing to leave Zverev as the most established title contender.

Zverev, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and twice ATP Finals champion, has never won a Grand Slam trophy despite final appearances at the U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open, with Paris now offering the German his clearest opportunity.

"I don't particularly care," the 29-year-old Zverev told reporters about his elevation as the overwhelming favourite for the Musketeers' Cup.

"I focus on next match, and I focus on the opponent as they cross the net, and that's the only thing that I can control.

"If I win those matches, then that's great."

Zverev has been in this territory before and knows that the margins only tighten from here, with composure and trust in his game likely to be decisive under intense pressure from himself.

"For me it's quite simple, it's me playing well," added Zverev, who dismissed Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals.

"I've said it before, I think I really have to trust my game, and I have to trust my tennis and trust myself. If I play well, then I think that's 99 per cent of the work."

Standing between Zverev and a fourth major final is 26th-seeded Czech Mensik, who is also chasing a maiden Grand Slam title at a very different stage of his career, with two ATP titles to his opponent's 24.

PUSHED