Alexander Zverev has been criticized in the past for not taking enough chances in high-stress matches. He possesses a metronomic serve, one of the best backhands on the ATP tour, and doesn't normally beat himself. He certainly didn't do so against Jakub Mensik in the semifinals of the 2026 French Open.
Zverev is arguably the best men's player ever not to have won a Grand Slam. He is now just one win away from changing that fact after defeating his Czech opponent 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
The German's relatively safe approach might be the perfect way, specifically at this year's Roland Garros, however. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, consistently the best two players in men's tennis, aren't still playing in the event. Alcaraz missed the major with a wrist injury. Sinner was defeated by the heat in the second round.
Alexander Zverev is just one step from winning the 2026 French Open
Seemingly, everyone else is still trying to prove they can be impact long-term on tour, and might sometimes overhit in order to control points. This plays into Zverev's style, whereas Alcaraz and Sinner both hit with controlled power and aren't afraid to take the chances Zverev doesn't.
Overhitting was certainly part of Mensik's issue in the semis. The 20-year-old has won a Masters 1000 event before, and he has the game to win majors, but he might not yet have the mentality. He currently lacks consistency in taking the easy way out of points and sometimes tries to overpower opponents.
He can do that against most, but he can't against the veteran and stoic Zverev., though Mensik did somewhat shockingly steal a set against the German.
The first set was tight, at least. Each kept holding serve, while rarely having an easy game. Mensik likely needed the set to have a chance at the match, but at 5-all, Zverev got the break and then held.
The second set wasn't close. Mensik appeared to dip in form at the same time he began to tire. He also struggled with a neck issue, though this was not the reason that Zverev controlled the set. The German simply took the points available to him and took advantage of his break chances, winning two of the three opportunities he had.
After taking a medical timeout in the third set, leaving the court for a short amount of time, Mensik played with a bit more energy, but he was still struggling to make any inroads on Zverev's service games until, stunningly, he got the break with Zverev serving at 2-3. The Czech was then able to keep holding serve to win a set when few watching appeared to think he would.
The match returned to its previous form in the second game of the fourth set. Mensik was broken, and the outcome of the match seemed certain. Zverev kept holding serve without much challenge and moved into the final. The third set the only blip on an otherwise dominating performance by the German.
Alexander Zverev, just one victory away from achieving his lifelong dream of finally winning a major, will next face the winner of the other French Open semifinal between Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli. Each will offer a different challenge than Jakub Mensik, who doesn't have the defensive skills of the Italians, and the rallies will likely be longer and more physical in the final.
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