PARIS (France) (AFP) – Alexander Zverev may insist that he does not “particularly care” about being the runaway favourite to win a maiden Grand Slam title, but the second seed will know the pressure lies squarely on his shoulders in Friday’s French Open semi-finals._x000D_
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The German will face Czech youngster Jakub Mensik in the last four, with the winner of that match-up meeting either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi in the final._x000D_
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Here, AFP Sport takes a look at the two men’s semi-finals:_x000D_
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Alexander Zverev (GER x2) v Jakub Mensik (CZE x26)_x000D_
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Zverev leads head-to-head 1-0_x000D_
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— Following the shock early exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, Zverev finds himself the odds-on favourite to win Roland Garros and finally shake off the unwanted title of tennis’ nearly-man, after three painful runner-up finishes in Grand Slam finals._x000D_
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The 2020 Olympic champion has cruised into the last four, dropping just one set en route, and looks in menacing form after needing less than two-and-a-half hours to see off rising Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals._x000D_
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Despite being the oldest, highest-ranked and most-decorated player left in the tournament, Zverev has maintained that his sole focus is on his next matches, rather than any title talk._x000D_
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“As I said before, I don’t particularly care (about being the favourite),” the 29-year-old told reporters._x000D_
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“I focus on next match, and I focus on the opponent as they cross the net, and that’s the only thing that I can control.”_x000D_
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His next opponent, Mensik, is a first-time major semi-finalist. But the 20-year-old has already known success in his short career, beating Djokovic in the final to claim last year’s Miami Open title._x000D_
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The 196cm tall Czech has done it the hard way to reach the last four, but his straight-sets win in the last eight against Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca showed just why he is considered one of the most promising young talents on the tour._x000D_
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Zverev won the only previous meeting between the two, besting Mensik in three sets on the clay in Madrid earlier this season._x000D_
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“The match with Sascha (Zverev) in Madrid, of course, it was a close one. It was best-of-three,” Mensik said._x000D_
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“Right now it’s a different situation… I would say bigger match, best-of-five. I’m excited for the challenge.”_x000D_
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Flavio Cobolli (ITA x10) v Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)_x000D_
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Head-to-head tied 1-1_x000D_
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Ahead of the tournament, many would have expected to find an Italian in Sunday’s final._x000D_
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And they will. But rather than world number one Sinner, it will be 104th-ranked Arnaldi or 10th seed Cobolli._x000D_
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Speaking on Court Philippe Chatrier after edging out Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime for a career-first Grand Slam semi-final berth, Cobolli said he “felt like this is the chance of my life”._x000D_
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The 24-year-old will meet Arnaldi with a maiden major final at stake, after the former world number 30 progressed past compatriot Matteo Berrettini who was forced to withdraw injured from their last-eight clash._x000D_
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The first all-Italian Grand Slam men’s semi-final in history will be a repeat of last year’s French Open second-round meeting, which Cobolli claimed in four sets._x000D_
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“For sure it will be another derby, but I think we have to be happy for Italian tennis,” Cobolli said._x000D_
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“Another Italian, apart from Sinner and Lorenzo (Musetti), are in the final this week. So we have to be happy, and we have to enjoy that match.”_x000D_
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Arnaldi has spent the largest time on court for a player en route to a Grand Slam semi-final but said he “can’t complain” after returning for injury to enjoy his best-ever major performance._x000D_
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“I have been playing a lot, but at the same time, I’m happy to be on court and to spend time on court, because I missed playing,” he said. “I for sure have some energy left for the next matches.”
