The first is eternal and will live a 13th semi-final on Friday to Roland-Garros. The second seems to be forever condemned to high school underperformances. In four rounds this Wednesday evening, during the last night session of the 2025 edition, Novak Djokovic38, refers Alexander Zverev, ten years younger, to his studies despite the loss of the first set (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4). The victory of the experience for a sacred monster of the circuit, in search of a 25th title in Grand Slam.
Will he get there in Roland-Garros? The mission seems impossible with a new challenge called Jannik Sinnerworld number one untouchable so far. But the Serbian does not prevent himself from dreaming and he has just shown his ability to raise the level of play. The German had however better started, heavily striking the ball in the background, carrying his opponent from right to left. The right tactical choice. But its unique. This is the bottom of the problem.
The science of “Djoker”
Because the former world number one has started to vary, adapt, shorten the exchange. Slices, amortized … enough to drive Zverev, who will never have been able to find a solution. The points paraded in favor of the “Djoker” as if he was still 25 years old. A third of direct faults more for the youngest of the two evening players. It was too much in the face of the tactical science of the triple winner of Roland-Garros (2016, 2021, 2023). Especially when the cowardly mind.
There will have been this mini-return from Zverev in the fourth round, when he offered himself a Débreak ball to return to 3-3. But it was time for the most beautiful point in the fortnight, won by the Serbian, of course. On his fifth match ball, this is Novak Djokovic still in the semi-finals of Grand Chelem, the 13th here and the 51st in total. It is both completely crazy and completely familiar.
For Zverev, it is yet another disappointment during a big meeting. It had not been eliminated in Paris before the semi-finals since the 2020 edition. We could therefore even talk about going back.
