In a thrilling quarter-final match at Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic triumphed over Alexander Zverev with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The pivotal moment came during the fourth set, where Djokovic faced a break point from Zverev but managed to win a grueling 41-stroke rally, clinching it with a powerful forehand winner. After this moment, Djokovic, gathering his breath, soaked in the applause from the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier.
At 38 years old, Djokovic demonstrated that age is no barrier to excellence. Despite recent challenges, including two three-match losing streaks and a drop to No. 6 in the rankings, his resolve remains unbroken. With this victory, he moves closer to achieving a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Zverev, the No. 3 seed and last year’s runner-up, posed tough competition, but Djokovic’s superior performance, marked by his effective use of drop shots and strategic plays, set him apart. He successfully broke Zverev’s serve four times while demonstrating a strong defence, only allowing himself to be broken once in the match.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. Sinner, the 23-year-old with an impressive track record, has yet to drop a set in this tournament and currently boasts an unbeaten major streak of 19 matches. Their head-to-head record stands at 4-4, but Sinner has won their last three encounters.
Both players have shown remarkable form, with Djokovic holding the record for the most weeks ranked No. 1 and the highest number of major titles and semi-final appearances. Sinner has dominated his recent matches and is on a 46-2 streak since last August, with only two losses to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Amid the match, distractions such as swarming insects and fan disruptions did not deter Djokovic, who handled these challenges adeptly. Ultimately, he secured his victory after five match points, reflecting both his tenacity and skill.
As Djokovic prepares for his next battle against Sinner, the stage is set for an extraordinary showdown between a seasoned champion and a rising star, both eager to leave their mark in tennis history.