Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic embraced their second Roland Garros duel on Wednesday night. The veteran bested last year's finalist in four sets to remain on the title course.
Six years ago, they met in another quarter-final, and Zverev recalled the duel against his good friend. Novak was the favorite, and he claimed a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 victory over the young gun.
Zverev admitted that Djokovic was a better player back then, especially at Majors. The German stayed in touch in the opening set and served for it at 5-4.
The Serb kept his composure and claimed it in the closing stages. He used that boost to oust his opponent more comfortably in sets two and three and advance into the semi-final.
Back in the final 4️⃣.@DjokerNole too good for Zverev 7-5 6-2 6-2. Meets Them in the semi-finals.
🎾 https://t.co/Zs3DNFWbFP #RG19 pic.twitter.com/sz1GWIHa2h
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2019
Alexander had to dig deep to reach the last eight, spending 12 hours on the court in the previous rounds and losing steam. The German hit ten aces and eight double faults.
The Serb dominated with the first serve and denied seven of eight break points. The young gun played against 11 break points and gave serve away six times to end his run in the last eight.
Zverev was the more aggressive player, but it did not help me after spraying 40 unforced errors. The German landed a forehand winner in the third game of the match for two break points.
Alexander Zverev & Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2019© Stream screenshot
Djokovic denied them and held before facing more issues at 2-2. He denied a break point and closed the game to remain on the positive side. The German provided four fine holds and made another push on the return at 4-4.
Novak sprayed errors and experienced a break that sent his rival closer to the opener. The legend kept his composure and pulled the break back in game ten to extend the set.
The Serb provided a fine hold in the 11th game and made another push on the return in the next one. Zverev faced a set point and sprayed a double fault, allowing Djokovic to rattle off three games and steal the opener.
Alexander Zverev, Roland Garros 2019© Stream screenshot
Novak provided four fine holds in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side. He broke Zverev at 15 in the second game and provided two holds at love for 3-0, rattling off six games.
Alexander denied a break point in the fourth game and held at love two games later. Djokovic brought the seventh game home after a deuce and made another push on the return at 5-2.
Zverev hit double faults and experienced another break, propelling his rival 7-5, 6-2 in front. The Serb rattled off nine of the previous 11 games to control the scoreboard and move closer to the finish line.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2019© Stream screenshot
After a flawless set, Novak faced two break points in the first game of the third set. He denied two break points and held, causing the rival's frustration. They served well in the next four games.
Djokovic stepped in on the return at 3-2 and provided a break following Zverev's poor volley at the net. Alexander made one last push on the return at 2-4 and earned two break chances.
He squandered them and fell 5-2 behind. Losing all hope, the German faced match points on serve in game eight following the Serb's volley winner. Novak converted the second to seal the deal and move into the semi-final.
"Back then, Novak was much better than me, especially at Majors. We played a close first set if I remember correctly; then, he beat me quite easily in the next two," Alexander Zverev said.
