Zverev and Mensik advance to French Open semi-finals

German tennis player Alexander Zverev has advanced to the French Open semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar, moving within two wins of a maiden Grand Slam title. The 29-year-old, who is the highest-ranked player remaining in the men’s draw, defeated Jodar 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier. Zverev has dropped only one set en route to the last four and has reached the semi-finals in Paris for the fifth time in six years.

Czech player Jakub Mensik also secured his place in the final four by defeating Brazilian Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). The 20-year-old required seven match points to overcome the 19-year-old Fonseca, whose run included victories over Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud. Mensik’s achievement marks the youngest Roland Garros men’s quarter-final since Rafael Nadal defeated Djokovic in 2006.

In the women’s draw, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk defeated compatriot Elina Svitolina 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to set up a semi-final meeting with Russia’s Mirra Andreeva. The 23-year-old Kostyuk extended her unbeaten run on clay this season to 17 matches. She dedicated her victory to the people of Ukraine following reports of Russian drone and missile attacks that killed at least 23 people early on Tuesday.

Andreeva, the eighth seed, reached the semi-finals by defeating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3 in less than an hour. The 19-year-old cited weather conditions, including rain and strong winds, as factors in her performance. Cirstea, 36, announced plans to retire at the end of the season.

Svitolina, 31, fell at the quarter-final stage at Roland Garros for the sixth time, remaining the only major where she has not reached the last four. Kostyuk will face Andreeva in the semi-finals, having beaten her in the Madrid Open final last month.