Overview
- Recent upsets have removed Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic from Zverev’s projected path, leaving the German widely seen as the leading contender to win the tournament.
- Zverev has advanced through four rounds at Roland Garros dropping only one set and told reporters his pre-tournament back problem has settled and he feels fine on court.
- He repeatedly rejected embracing the favourite label and said he will concentrate only on the opponent ahead of him rather than the wider draw or outside expectations.
- Zverev’s next opponent is 19-year-old Rafael Jódar and a quarter-final win would likely set up a match against the winner of Joao Fonseca versus Jakub Mensik with possible final opponents including Matteo Berrettini, Frances Tiafoe, Flavio Cobolli or Felix Auger-Aliassime.
- The shift in betting and media focus raises Zverev’s profile and pressure as he chases his first major title, but the remaining draw contains several young, in-form players capable of causing upsets.