Djokovic to Face Zverev in French Open Quarterfinal Clash

3 Jun at 11:20 am

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Djokovic to Face Zverev in French Open Quarterfinal Clash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Novak Djokovic, riding an 8-match win streak, faces Alexander Zverev in the French Open quarterfinals. Despite early-season struggles, Djokovic is back in top form, winning Geneva and dominating Paris. Zverev dismisses any notion of Djokovic being a dark horse, calling it “misguided.”

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts as he plays against Britain’s Cameron Norrie during their fourth round match of the French Tennis Open at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Djokovic vs. Zverev: Quick Looks

Djokovic’s Streak: Unbeaten in eight matches, including Geneva title and four straight-set wins in Paris.
Quarterfinal Collision: Djokovic leads head-to-head 8–5 over Zverev; last met in January’s Australian Open semifinal.
No Dark Horse: Zverev scoffs at idea of Djokovic being an underdog despite his No. 6 seed.
Djokovic’s Comeback: Entered Geneva to rebuild confidence after back-to-back clay losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
Zverev’s Perspective: Credits Djokovic as a mentor, calls it a “privilege” to face him.
Other Quarterfinals: Jannik Sinner faces Alexander Bublik; Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul also play.
Historic Note: Djokovic is only player to beat Nadal more than once at Roland-Garros.
French Open Legacy: Djokovic seeks a fourth title at Roland-Garros and his 25th major overall.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev serves against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Djokovic to Face Zverev in French Open Quarterfinal Clash

Deep Look

Djokovic Not Slowing Down as He Takes on Zverev in French Open Quarterfinal

PARIS — If recent doubts cast Novak Djokovic as a fading force on clay, they’ve been swiftly dispelled. The Serbian legend is back in championship form at Roland-Garros and will face world No. 3 Alexander Zverev on Wednesday in a blockbuster quarterfinal matchup.

For all his accolades — 100 career titles, 24 Grand Slam trophies, and a record 428 weeks as world No. 1 — even Djokovic has moments of doubt. That was the case earlier this year after a rare three-match losing streak and a winless red clay run leading into the French Open.

Feeling the need to recalibrate, Djokovic entered the Geneva Open to regain rhythm and form. Since then, he’s gone 8-0, including a flawless four-match stretch in Paris where he hasn’t dropped a single set.

“You don’t want to be in that state of mind coming into Grand Slams,” Djokovic said. “I’m just glad it all turned out to be perfect for me.”

Zverev: “Djokovic Will Never Be a Dark Horse”

Despite being seeded sixth — the result of his recent slide — Djokovic remains the most decorated player in the field. His matchup with Zverev will mark their 14th head-to-head encounter, with Djokovic holding an 8–5 edge.

Zverev, who finished runner-up at both the 2024 French Open and the 2025 Australian Open, brushed off any suggestion that Djokovic could be considered a dark horse.

“He’s never going to be a (dark) horse,” Zverev said. “He definitely knows what it means to be on the big stage and to play big matches.”

Their last meeting in January ended prematurely, with Djokovic retiring after one set due to a hamstring injury. Yet, Zverev defended him from critics, citing Djokovic’s mental and physical toll from the grueling tennis calendar.

Djokovic’s Legacy on Clay and at Roland-Garros

Though Roland-Garros is historically Rafael Nadal’s domain, Djokovic has carved his own significant chapter here. He’s a three-time champion in Paris, and the only man to defeat Nadal more than once at the tournament.

His early exits in Monte Carlo (to Alejandro Tabilo) and Madrid (to Matteo Arnaldi) drew headlines and raised eyebrows, but Djokovic’s Geneva title and sharp play in the opening rounds have silenced those doubts.

Now 38, Djokovic is still chasing greatness. A potential 25th Grand Slam title would extend his own record and further separate him from Nadal (22) and Federer (20).

Mentor vs. Challenger: Zverev’s Perspective

Zverev, 28, has long admired Djokovic’s approach to the game and often referred to him as a mentor figure. But on Wednesday, admiration takes a back seat to competition.

“It’s always a privilege to be on court with him,” Zverev said, acknowledging the unique challenge ahead.

Zverev has found his form in 2025, but defeating Djokovic in a Grand Slam — especially on clay — remains one of tennis’s toughest assignments.

Elsewhere in the Draw

The Djokovic-Zverev duel headlines Wednesday’s action. The other quarterfinal pits No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner against unseeded Alexander Bublik, the first Kazakh player to ever reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal.

On Tuesday, two Americans — Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul — hoped to keep U.S. hopes alive as they faced Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti, respectively.