TOPSHOT – Germany’s Alexander Zverev plays a backhand return to Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik during their men’s semi final singles match on day 13 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Alexander Zverev is considered by some the best men’s tennis player never to win a Grand Slam title.
But the 29-year-old German is now one victory from ending the drought and finally hoisting a major trophy.
With his efficient and relentless 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over No. 26 Jacub Mensik in the French Open semifinals, No. 2 Zverev is into Sunday’s final.
Zverev was broken once in the match and has only been broken seven times during the tournament. He is 11-1 in majors this year, with the only loss coming to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the Australian Open semifinals. He has won 18 of his last 20 matches at Roland Garros, and is into his second final in three years.
Zverev, who took out 19-year Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar in straight sets in the quarterfinals, will face either No. 10 Flavio Cobolli or fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
The German is 3-1 vs. Cobolli and 3.0 against Arnaldi.
“I just think Zverev has too much experience in these moments and I don’t see him losing in the next match, either,” former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said on TNT.
“I think he’s going to cruise through and he’s going to win his first Slam here.”
Zverev, who is 0-3 in major finals, holds a 75% chance to hoist the trophy, per Kalshi.
“If [Zverev] doesn’t win this tournament this year, I don’t think he’ll ever win it,” John McEnroe said earlier in the tournament.
He added after Zverev’s latest win: “Three players left now, it’s all there for him.”
Asked Patrick McEnroe: “Has the door ever been more open for Alexander Zverev to finally win a major?”
Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik reacts after winning a set as he plays against Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their men’s semi final singles match on day 13 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have won the last nine majors, but with both men out of the draw there will be a first-time major winner on Sunday.
Mensik, 20, took out No. 8 Alex de Minaur, No. 11 Andrey Rublev and No. 28 Joao Fonseca en route to his first major semifinal.
John McEnroe thinks Mensik will eventually win a major.
“I think so,” he said. “He’s got a little work to do, but he’s getting there pretty quickly.”
Zverev had his parents, brother and grandmother at the match for support.
Asked by Mary Joe Fernandez on court what that meant, he said: “Not much at the moment. We still have a match to play on Sunday and that’s what we’re here for that’s what we’re focusing on. I want to play the best possible match and just focus on that.”
Zverev has only dropped two sets en route to his second Roland Garros final.
“I’ve always found a way even when things got difficult,” he said. “I feel like today Jakub starting playing amazing tennis in the third set and I found a way straight away in the fourth set. Today definitely was the toughest challenge. He played some amazing tennis throughout the entire two weeks. I’m happy with the win for sure.”