Alexander Zverev ended 19-year-old Rafael Jodar's French Open dreams at the quarter-final stage on Tuesday, beating the Spaniard 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 6-3.
The highest seed and clear favourite left in the draw following the shock exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, as well as Carlos Alcaraz's injury, Zverev looked set to lose the opening set against Jodar after the Spaniard served for it at 5-3. However, the German rallied impressively, reeling off four of the next five games before sealing the set in a tie-break.
The rangy German, who possesses one of the most formidable serves in the professional game, surged ahead by breaking Jodar early in the second set before producing a deft drop shot to secure a double break and cruise to a 6-1 victory.
The No 2 seed seized control by breaking Jodar in the opening game of the third set before backing it up with a comfortable hold.
Although he was forced to save a break point at 4-3, the German never looked in danger of relinquishing his advantage and sealed victory in style, producing a stunning forehand winner to break serve once more and wrap up the match.
"I want to keep going and I want to be in the tournament and win the matches ahead of me and that is my goal and my aim," Zverev said courtside.
"Today was a very good test against a very good player. I am happy to be in the semi-final but for now, that is it."
"He [Jodar] had a perfect rhythm in the first set and I didn't, my shots were very short and I was very defensive, everything was different, the ball wasn't bouncing high, I had to shorten my shots but he was playing amazing.
"I took my chances well and after that it was a good match for me.
"I will watch the match tonight [Fonseca vs Mensik], but in my room on the TV but with a nice drink in my hand. We had two days off but it is important to keep the rhythm and keep practising."
Jakub Mensik ended Joao Fonseca's French Open campaign with a determined straight-sets victory that secured his place in the Roland-Garros semi-finals.
The world No 26 opened the match with precise passing shots, holding serve brilliantly in the first set and securing a vital break of serve at 3-2, before the final game of the set was won with a fantastic forehand volley that summed up a measured opener for the Czech.
The second set unfolded in much the same fashion. Leading 40-0 on serve at 2-2, Fonseca lost three straight points to be dragged back to deuce, offering Mensik a golden chance to claim a pivotal break.
He took that chance expertly with a beautiful backhand passing shot and yet another forehand volley, before a poor double fault from Fonseca at 5-3 down saw Mensik seize a second set point.
The Czech, though, was broken in the first game of the third set after three straight double faults, and Fonseca - clearly the fan favourite - fought his obvious fatigue and fed off the crowd's energy to save a staggering six match points at 6-5 down in the third to keep the match alive.
Mensik, though, kept his composure in the tie-break and finally took his seventh chance to win the match in straight sets with a beautiful pair of drop shots. He ended Fonseca's fairytale run and secured his own place in the French Open semi-finals for the first time in his career.
"Joao is a great guy and a great competitor," Mensik said. "Before the match, I knew it was going to be tough. We started a bit nervous, but at the end of the match there were some incredible shots and I'm super happy that I'm the one that came back in the third set.
"I managed to stay focus, stay in the match and keep fighting until the end.
"The last game and the tie-break were one of my best performances so far."
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