Zverev Thumps De Minaur To Make 4th Straight French Open SF, Win Streak At 11

Alexander Zverev returned to the French Open semifinals for a fourth straight year after easing past Alex de Minaur 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4.

“I have a mindset that you have to work harder than everyone else to be the best player and I think the best players are all doing that,” Zverev said to the ATP. “For me, I like to work to my limit and, if I do that, playing five sets is not that difficult. I have been doing that over many years now and I am happy it is paying off. I am happy to be in another semi-final, hopefully I can win one.”

The 6-foot-6 German had early break leads in each set against the Australian who was in his first French Open quarterfinal, second Slam quarterfinal.

Zverev finished the 3 hour affair winning 69% of second serves and he broke 5-of-6 while getting broken three times including serving for the match at 5-3 in the third.

“I’m in another semifinal here, which I’m very pleased about,” Zverev said. “Of course I want to win one. I want to be in the finals. That’s my main focus.”

It wasn’t pretty tennis.

Zverev will now face Casper Ruud who had the day off after the withdrawal by Novak Djokovic. The two are tied 2-2 but Ruud has won the last two including a one-sided affair in the French semifinalist last year.

“Great player,” said Zverev. “Two finals in a row, third semifinal in a row, that speaks for itself. He’s one of the best players on this surface, for sure. I think I have to play my best tennis to have a chance.”

The semifinal will be played late on Friday. Ruud will have had a full three days off.