Alexander Zverev is into a fifth Roland Garros semi-final of his career, having beaten Rafael Jodar in straight sets earlier today.
However, when told about this statistic, the world number three insisted he didn’t care.
The ultimate goal for the 28-year-old is clear, having consistently failed to claim a Grand Slam title despite coming so close on so many occasions.
And, he heavily implied this when looking ahead to what he will hope to be two more successful wins here in Paris.
Alexander Zverev shares his new goal after reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals
Alexander Zverev began by reacting to that piece of information, that he had just reached a fifth Roland Garros semi-final of his career.
Asked how much this means to him, he admitted: “Not really. I don’t really care.”
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He then explained why: “I want to keep going, of course; I want to be in the tournament and win the matches that are ahead of me. That is my goal and aim.
“I feel like today was a tough test against a very good player. Of course I am happy to be in the semi-finals, but for now that is it.”
Zverev found himself down 5-2 in the first set, but rallied back to win it on a tiebreak. He then reviewed that turnaround, adding: “It was difficult.
“He had a perfect rhythm in the first set, and I didn’t. My balls were very short and I was very defensive. The conditions were completely different, the string tension was different, the way the ball reacts off the ground was different. Heavy top spin was not really beneficial, so I had to flatten my shots out a little bit more.
“He was playing amazing. He outplayed me at the beginning of the first set, but I managed to come back. He played a bit of a nervous game when he served for it, and then I took my chances, and it was a good match for me.”
He then concluded by looking ahead to Joao Fonseca’s match with Jakub Mensik tonight, given he will play the winner of it.
Zverev noted: “I will watch it in my room on TV, with a nice drink in my hand maybe. We have two days off now; it’s important to keep the rhythm and keep practising. I just want to keep going.”
Can anybody stop Alexander Zverev from winning Roland Garros this year?
With all the huge surprise casualties, Zverev is now the top seed and outstanding favourite left in the Roland Garros draw.
For many, this title is now his to lose.
Today represented a really tricky task against an in-form opponent, and the German dismantled Jodar with surprising ease.
Do you really believe that Alexander Zverev can win a Grand Slam title?
One of Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca will await him in the semi-final, offering more youthful firepower and energy to try and stop Zverev from reaching the final.
However, if he is to bypass that round as well, it feels like there is far less threat coming from the other half of the draw.
It feels like the only person that can stop him from claiming that elusive maiden major title is himself.
