Title favourite Zverev cruises into quarter-finals

Title favourite Zverev cruises into quarter-finalsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Alexander Zverev has won nine titles on clay and reached the French Open final in 2024ByElizabeth BotcherbyBBC Sport journalistPublished20 minutes agoAlexander Zverev underlined his status as favourite for the French Open men’s singles title with a clinical straight-set win over Jesper de Jong, which sent him through to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the sixth consecutive year.The second seed, 29, has long been earmarked as a future Grand Slam champion but despite reaching finals at three of the four majors, he is still searching for a maiden title.However, with world number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both eliminated in the first week, plus defending champion Carlos Alcaraz absent because of injury, the German’s route to the title has opened up.Showing few nerves on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Zverev came through his fourth-round match 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-1.”It was a bit difficult in the beginning,” Zverev stated on court. “I didn’t start strong and he started really fast. But once I found my rhythm, I was comfortable.”My game is there. It’s about showing it on the match courts.”The loss ends De Jong’s career-best run at a Grand Slam after entering the main draw as a lucky loser, but the Dutchman – who was defeated on his 26th birthday – will climb back into the world’s top 100.Zverev will face 27th seed Rafael Jodar, who he described as “incredibly talented”, in the last eight.The Spanish teenager, playing in his second Grand Slam, dropped just five games across the final three sets as he fought back from two sets down to beat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta.Sabalenka v Osaka in French Open night session