Paris - Even though Novak Djokovic won his 100th title in Geneva on the eve of the French Open, few people made him favourite Roland Garros, 38.
However, his 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinals defeated Alexander Zverev on Wednesday brought the Serbs back into the conversation.
The 24-time main champion reached an extraordinary 51st Grand Slam semifinal, surpassing Zverev and surpassing Zverev and playing a semifinal at the Australian Open in January, thus eliminating his memory of withdrawing from injury.
Although Djokovic played world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Friday's semifinal, he lost only one set on his way there. The way he turned the situation around shows that he has a great chance to reach another final.
This is what happened on Wednesday - what this might mean.
Djokovic started the game, thus giving up his opening service, prompting him to change the racket. Djokovic only ranked 52% when Zverev maintained his rest advantage, but it was the only time he lost in the game.
The Serbs fell into a familiar pattern at the beginning of the second set. He served regularly at Deuce Court, and as Zverev stood so deep, he was able to serve and volleyball multiple times, cutting off the rewards online.
In the second set, Djokovic made up 76% of his first share. In the third inning, he increased it to 78%, winning 13 of 14 points and down only 2 points overall. By comparison, Zverev struggled in the second set, winning only 33% in the second set and 20% in the third set. In the fourth set, Djokovic saved a breakout point 3-2 by winning the 41-shot rally, Djokovic was 77%.
Djokovic used the drop shot at the first point of the game, and although he actually lost his point of view, the droppers were a big part of his game, and as the game progressed, the droppers became more and more.
When Zverev was happiest when he was playing toe with Djokovic from baseline, Djokovic stood on the baseline, started to decide, and began to decide, changing as Slice was used and placed and dropped the shot.
Overall, Djokovic hit 35 shots, and even if they weren't the complete winner, he either won that view or won the hesitation in Zverev's mind. Zverev starts to crash. Even when Germany was rallying in the fourth set, Djokovic maintained his attention and level.
Victory in and below the court 🎸
— Roland-Garros (@RolandGarros) June 4, 2025
What about that @Sabalenkaa ?#RolandGarros | @djokernole pic.twitter.com/rm26rrwsym
Well, it will be tough, and that's why. He faced the sinners in the semifinals after he eliminated World 3 Zverev. Then, unless Lorenzo Musetti triggers major frustration, Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz, the world's second-place finisher in the final.
No one beat the top three players in the world in a row to win the Grand Slam, so the odds are for him. While nothing is more irritating than someone who told him he can’t do something, the sinner won his last three games against Djokovic. Defeating the Italians - perhaps Alcaraz - is a huge task.