Zverev claims the second set 6-2

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game and set to Zverev. He stands one set from the final and with that large Sinner and Alcaraz-shaped gap in the draw he is rising fully to the moment.

Zverev breaks: Mensik 5-7, 2-5 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev earns a chance for a double break when his winner which should not really have counted given Mensik appeared able to reach the ball brings up 15-40. Mensik rushes to the net to rescue the first break point as he tries to shorten the exchanges with fatigue perhaps surfacing but he double faults on the second. All of the tennis the 20-year-old has played to reach this stage including two five-setters one of which left him cramping and wheeled to the locker room may be catching up in the biggest match of his career and he sits on the edge of falling two sets behind.

Second set: Mensik* 5-7, 2-4 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Mensik holds to love with his face still showing no emotion. That must have felt positive. Yet Zverev answers by matching the love hold. The all-Italian matchup between Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi follows this one starting no earlier than 7pm Paris time (6pm BST). At this pace Zverev will have showered completed his media duties and eaten by the time it starts.

Second set: Mensik* 5-7, 1-3 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Jim Courier on the TNT Sports commentary names the other male players besides Zverev who lost their first three slam finals: Lendl Agassi Ivanisevic Murray Thiem and Ruud. Of those Zverev and Ruud continue seeking that breakthrough. But Zverev appears poised to alter that as he consolidates the break from deuce. He holds full command of this semi-final right now.

Zverev breaks: Mensik 5-7, 1-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev has Mensik under pressure at 15-40. Mensik opts to handle the break points as he did in the first set via a drop shot. This one looks more effective as he retrieves Zverev's reply yet the issue is he becomes an easy target at the net and Zverev fires the ball back leaving Mensik with little time to react and only able to frame it wide. Zverev roars while soaring toward the final. Mensik remains stoic and shows little emotion.

Second set: Mensik* 5-7, 1-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Zverev has dropped just one set this tournament and he handled the first set against Mensik the same way he managed the new Rafa on the block Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals by prevailing in the key moments. Speaking of which last night I viewed the Rafa documentary on Netflix where he details the chronic pain he endured throughout his career. It prompted thoughts on whether any sportsperson has been so ready to endure for success fighting their body while achieving so much. It remains astonishing he secured 14 French Open titles even four years after his last Paris triumph while competing in such pain for 13 of them. But I digress. A hold each from Mensik and Zverev and the second set opens with two holds.

Zverev wins the first set 7-5!

15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Three set points. Mensik offers resistance by taking the next two points but it proves futile as Zverev seals the set from 40-30 with an ace down the T. A smart set from Zverev who waited patiently for his opening and seized it when it arrived.

Zverev breaks: Mensik 5-6 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Mensik wavers and a pair of double faults move Zverev to 30-all. A huge point. Will it become break point which if Zverev wins will leave him serving for the set or game point? It is break point the first of the match for Zverev as he strikes a backhand winner that leaves Mensik rooted. Mensik tries a drop shot on this break point but Zverev anticipates it charges forward whips the ball over and Mensik nets it.

First set: Mensik* 5-5 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Not right away as Mensik grabs a love hold his first of this semi-final leaving Zverev serving to stay in the opening set. The second seed manages it with relative comfort landing a couple of aces yet he does not look quite as sharp from the baseline as earlier.

First set: Mensik* 4-4 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Zverev serves with the new balls but slips to 15-30. He handles the scoreboard pressure by dominating the point moving forward and hitting a nice angled volley but Mensik improbably produces a backhand pass down the line. Agassi and his son Jaden who chose baseball over tennis are applauding. It is 15-40 and here come the first break points of the match for Mensik. A strong serve wide followed by a big forehand lets Zverev save both before fending off a third and holding. A major chance missed by Mensik might that return to trouble him?

First set: Mensik 4-3 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

For Zverev this marks an 11th grand slam semi-final and a fifth at Roland Garros while for Mensik it is a first. Zverev who lost the 2024 final after leading two sets to one against Carlos Alcaraz in one of three major final losses pummels Mensik's backhand at 30-15 and it eventually yields under the strain. 30-all. Yet a short sharp point moves Mensik to 40-30. He holds for his most comfortable service game yet.

First set: Mensik* 3-3 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Gasps arise as a poor bounce on the baseline surprises Zverev on the second point. That proves the peak for Mensik who cannot advance further on Zverev's serve from 15-all. Zverev appears calm and thinks clearly hoping to turn the pressure on Mensik's serve into a break.

First set: Mensik 3-2 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev strikes another winner for 0-15 as Agassi the 1999 champion watches approvingly. Mensik then offers his first double fault. 0-30. The Czech recovers with an ace and a drop shot winner already his seventh of the semi-final to reach 30-all. It moves to deuce the third time Mensik has reached that stage on serve and once more he closes the door on Zverev.

First set: Mensik* 2-2 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Pacy and punchy from Zverev on his backhand one of the finest in the game and it is 30-0. Then 40-0 with a textbook one-two attack. Now his forehand does the damage as he rifles a winner. The first love hold of this semi-final and Zverev is in the zone.

First set: Mensik 2-1 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Zverev has faced past criticism for defensive play in big moments on big stages but he strikes the ball firmly here and reaches 0-30 on Mensik's serve. Mensik with soft hands for his size responds with the next two points and shows delicate touch at the net to reach 40-30. For the third game in a row they reach deuce and Mensik's drop shot brings advantage. After a second deuce he holds.

First set: Mensik* 1-1 Zverev (*denotes next server)

Zverev looked slightly hesitant in the warm-up but the world No 3 displays fine reflexes at the net to lead 30-15. Mensik in a white shirt and headband with black shorts sends a drop shot into the net as Zverev all in black extends to 40-15. Yet Mensik blasts a backhand winner down the line and it is deuce. Just as Mensik did in the prior game Zverev steps up and takes the game with a nonchalant volley.

First set: Mensik 1-0 Zverev* (*denotes next server)

Regarding Mensik performing better against stronger players he beat Djokovic in three sets to claim the Miami Open last year his biggest title so far and also defeated Sinner in Doha this year. His coach Tomas Josefus noted in the build-up that Jakub is a player born for these matches against big players in big stadiums. Mensik looks eager to prove it by moving to 40-15 on serve in the opening game before faltering to deuce yet he regains control and finishes with a firm volley. The 20-year-old is on the board.

Here is the great Andre Agassi sharing his thoughts: They are two players with strong backhands. I rate them equal on the backhands. I give Zverev the edge on serve and Mensik on the forehand. Mensik has nothing to lose and performs better against stronger players. If Zverev is nervous and Mensik applies scoreboard pressure we may witness some magic.

Tik! Tok! Tik! Tok! They are warming up. They have met only once before last month on clay in the Madrid last 16 where Zverev won in three tight sets 6-4 6-7 6-3 after Mensik led by a break in the decider.

Zverev has spent four hours less on court at this French Open than Mensik who played two five-setters but Mensik has enjoyed two days off since his quarter-final win over Fonseca. He is young and fit so physicality may not decide this. It will likely hinge more on how both manage the pressure with Zverev sometimes struggling with self-belief in the biggest matches of his career. Yet he also enjoys the freedom of not facing Sinner or Alcaraz.

Here they are the 6ft 5in Mensik and 6ft 6in Zverev giants both literally and metaphorically. Mensik reaches the court ahead of Zverev. The young Czech 26th seed will hope that signals what lies ahead.

If you need to catch up on yesterday's women's semi-finals Tumaini's reports are here:

Preamble

Sinner. Alcaraz. Alcaraz. Sinner. Sinner. Alcaraz. Sinner. Alcaraz. Alcaraz. Zverev?

With Jannik Sinner exiting in the second-round heat and Carlos Alcaraz departing before the tournament began Alexander Zverev has known for nine long days that he may never receive a better opportunity to break Sincaraz's hold on grand slam titles and finally move from the best male player without a major a label he must be tired of hearing to slam champion.

So far Zverev has played with the freedom of someone who knows he avoids his two tormentors rather than the pressure of someone expected to win. He has dropped only one set en route to his 11th grand slam semi-final but given how the seeds have fallen the 2024 runner-up has not faced a player of much note to reach this stage. While Jakub Mensik remains raw and unproven at this phase of a slam the 20-year-old Czech with the powerful serve represents Zverev's biggest test so far after eliminating Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev before expertly handling the nuclear forehand of fellow rising star Joao Fonseca in the quarter-finals.

Zverev will hope none of his scars from grand slams past are exposed by Mensik who joins two other semi-final debutants Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi as they contest the first all-Italian men's semi at a major minus the most famous Italian of all. Arnaldi the marathon man has spent the most time on court in grand slam history to reach the last four while Cobolli a man of many superstitions has been channelling his inner Rafa to break new ground even using the 14-times champion's favourite shower cubicle after every match. Sinner may be long gone but this wildest and weirdest of French Opens could yet end with a