Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Alexander Zverev has moved to within touching distance of a long-coveted maiden grand slam title, as the German fought past 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 to reach the French Open final again.
The 29-year-old, who has lost three major finals, including one at Roland Garros two years ago, is the overwhelming favourite in Paris to shake off the tag of best men’s player never to win a slam and he’ll face the winner of the all-Italian clash between 10th seed Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.
A tight opening set on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier on Fridaytilted Zverev’s way when he struck a backhand crosscourt winner in the 11th game to bring up a break point, and he nudged ahead with a delicate shot that Mensik sent into the net.
The world No.3 sent down a powerful ace to pocket the first set and asserted himself with an early break at the start of the second, as the 20-year-old Mensik’s level briefly dipped in his maiden slam semi-final.
Mensik sat with a towel over his head during a changeover and his troubles deepened after the restart, when Zverev took his game up a few notches and sealed a double break, before comfortably doubling his lead in the match.
After a long medical timeout for a neck issue, Czech Mensik mixed his booming serve with deft drop shots to break for a 4-2 lead en route to winning the third set, but Zverev powered through the fourth with no drama to prevail.
Mensik had spent four hours more on court in reaching the last four than Zverev and he could not sustain the consistent level needed to really challenge the German.
Sunday will be Zverev’s best chance yet of glory after he lost to Carlos Alcaraz from two-sets-to-one up two years ago.
He came even closer in his maiden final against Dominic Thiem at the US Open in 2020, blowing a two-set lead and losing in a deciding tie-break, while he was well beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final last year.
Moments after Zverev’s defeat in that match in Melbourne, a person in the stadium yelled out the names of two of his ex-girlfriends who accused him of physical abuse.
One case was resolved following an agreement between German prosecutors, lawyers for Zverev and his former partner. The ATP Tour investigated another case and concluded there was insufficient evidence.
