Alexander Zverev is now the huge favourite to win the Roland Garros title.
Before the event began, the 28-year-old was considered amongst those who would challenge for the title, but few had overwhelming confidence in his ability to potentially topple Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, if he had to.
However, fortunately for him, those obstacles have been removed.
With the world number one having faded due to the heat, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion having been outlasted by Joao Fonseca in a five-set thriller, Alexander Zverev’s path to a first major title has opened up.
He has now explained exactly how it feels to be in such a unique position.
Alexander Zverev reacts to being the new favourite for the Roland Garros title
Speaking to the press, it should surprise no one that his new status as the overwhelming favourite dominated the conversation.
Discussing his emotions, with both Sinner and Djokovic having been removed from his potential path to the title, Zverev admitted: “I will give the same answer I gave two days ago. I will focus on the matches that are ahead of me. This is the only thing I can control.
Who is your favourite to win the French Open now that Jannik Sinner has been eliminated?
“I focused on De Jong. I played a good match, I won. I am going to focus on Jodar next and hopefully play a good match. That is the only thing in my concern.”
The German then provided a fitness update as we reach the halfway point of this Grand Slam, noting: “I feel fine. I feel like the previous match was still challenging, but I feel good. For me, as long as my tennis is coming together and I feel well on the court and confident I am happy. My back is fine.”
Zverev had been struggling with a back injury before Roland Garros, so this marks a positive progression for the new favourite for the title.
Who will Alexander Zverev have to beat to win the Roland Garros title?
Having carved through his first four matches at Roland Garros with minimal fuss, dropping just the one set, his draw is set to get increasingly more difficult.
After all, whilst Sinner and Djokovic may be gone now, there is still plenty of talent left who will be keen to cause another huge upset.
Which player do you want to see win their first Grand Slam at Roland Garros?
Alexander Zverev is the favourite…
Rafael Jodar is next up for Zverev, marking a tricky task against an in-form young sensation.
If he is to win that quarter-final, then he will face the winner of Fonseca’s upcoming match against Jakub Mensik, both of whom, just like Jodar, are young, fearless and dangerously in form.
Then, it’s expected that one of Matteo Berrettini, Frances Tiafoe, Flavio Cobolli or Felix Auger-Aliassime should be awaiting Zverev in the final.
