Alexander Zverev shook off a tricky start Sunday to ensure safe passage into the Roland Garros quarter-finals, where he faces an intriguing test against #NextGenATP star Rafael Jodar.
The No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Zverev overcame Jesper de Jong 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach the last eight in Paris for the sixth consecutive year. Zverev slipped to an early 0-3 deficit against lucky loser and World No. 106 De Jong, but the German was increasingly impressive and ultimately powered to a two-hour, 14-minute victory.
“In the beginning it was a bit difficult,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “I didn’t start off strong and he started off really fast and really well. But once I found my rhythm, I felt very comfortable on the court and that’s the most important thing for me. I feel like my game is there, now it’s about showing it on the match court.”
The 29-year-old German moved a step closer to his maiden Grand Slam trophy by converting four of seven break points he earned against De Jong, according to Infosys Stats. Zverev, a three-time major finalist including at Roland Garros in 2024, is one of just two Top-10 players remaining in the men’s singles draw, alongside World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Not that the second seed will be underestimating his quarter-final opponent in Paris. Zverev will face fast-rising Jodar for the first time after the 19-year-old earlier rallied past Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
“He’s a very young player, incredibly talented,” Zverev said of Jodar, who has earned a Tour-leading 19 wins on clay in 2026. “He’s come on the scene this clay-court season, from being ranked outside the Top 100 to now being almost Top 20, within two months. So he’s playing incredible tennis and it’s going to be a very difficult challenge, but I have to trust myself and I’ll be ready for it.”
By reaching his eighth Roland Garros quarter-final, Zverev is now joint sixth on the list for the most quarter-final appearances at the clay major in the Open Era. Should he defeat Jodar on Tuesday, the German will advance to the semi-finals for the fifth time.
Most Men's Singles QF Appearances At Roland Garros (Open Era)
| Player | QF Appearances |
| Novak Djokovic | 19 |
| Rafael Nadal | 16 |
| Roger Federer | 12 |
| Andre Agassi, Guillermo Vilas | 9 |
| Jimmy Connors, Alexander Zverev | 8 |
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