09:00 CET - Good morning and welcome to semi-final Friday at Roland Garros! First up on this exciting day of tennis, world number three and favourite to claim his first career Grand Slam, Alexander Zverev, takes on the coming-of-age Jakub Mensik in a box-office clash.
Zverev has been in imperious form in Paris so far, taking full advantage of Jannik Sinner's shock second-round exit to put himself in prime position to take the French Open crown. The Germans only dropped a set at 2026 Roland Garros, coming in the last-16 against Quentin Halys. In addition, the way he dispatched Rafael Jodar (one of the most exciting talents in the game) in the quarter-finals with such ease, even though Jodar was having an immense tournament, was a statement of intent.
Zverev means business and has come here with one very clear objective: win the French Open and end his Grand Slam curse.
His opponent, Mensik, will be no walkover, however. Not only is Mensik one of the most talented and promising young players in men's tennis, but his all-around game has also looked more complete than at any other point in his young career.
The way Mensik downed Joao Fonseca (a player who some would suggest is more talented than Mensik) in a dominant and incredibly impressive three-set quarter-final was telling of a player who is coming into his own at Roland Garros this year and whose confidence is sky-high.