Both Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas breezed through their quarterfinal matches to set up a semifinal clash between the two young stars at the French Open.
The No. 6 seeded Zverev went first, easily dispatching Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a 6-4, 6-1, 6-1, straight-sets victory.
Zverev, Tsitsipas to face off in French Open semifinal
Fokina took an early lead in the first set, but from then on, it was all Zverev, with the 24-year-old never looking back and dominating the final two sets. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, faced more resistance in a premier matchup against No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev. But the 22-year-old Greek star ultimately swept three sets from the Russian, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. Medvedev had chances to win the second set, but otherwise, never appeared to threaten Tsitsipas on Tuesday.
Afterward, both winners said they’re hungry for a spot in the French Open final.
“Look, it’s fairly obvious that all tennis players are playing tennis for the Slams,†said Zverev, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2020 US Open. “Before Medvedev and Tsitsipas arrived, I was seen as this guy that was going to all of a sudden take over the tennis world. I was putting pressure on myself, as well. I was not very patient with myself, which I feel like now, maybe, I learned how to deal with the situation a little bit better.â€
Tsitsipas will be making his fourth Grand Slam semifinal appearance. He lost in his other three semifinal matches, most recently at the 2021 Australian Open, when Medvedev eliminated him in straight sets.
“I feel privileged that I’m in that position, and I feel obviously I’ve put in a lot of daily hard work [that] has been a key element of me being here,†Tsitsipas said after his win. “But, you know, my ego tells me I want more.â€
Tsitsipas opened as a -184 favorite against Zverev (+152) at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Gauff, Swiatek favored in Wednesday quarterfinals
In women’s French Open play on Tuesday, Tamara Zidansek defeated Paula Badosa 7-5, 4-6, 8-6 to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. Zidansek had never advanced beyond the second round in a Grand Slam before this tournament.
Zidansek will play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who also reached her first Grand Slam semifinal. Pavlyuchenkova defeated her doubles partner Elena Rybakina 6-7 (7-2), 6-2, 9-7 to reach the semis.
The women’s draw will provide the biggest French Open matchups on Wednesday. Coco Gauff (-122) will look to book the final Grand Slam semifinal spot when she takes on Barbora Krejcikova (+102). Meanwhile, defending champion Iga Swiatek (-400) faces Maria Sakkari (+300).
In men’s play, Rafael Nadal comes in as a massive -2500 favorite against Diego Schwartzman (+1100) in their quarterfinal duel. Later in the day, Novak Djokovic (-465) takes on Matteo Berrettini (+350) for the final men’s French Open semifinal spot.
