Rafa Jódar has fallen to Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. In the first set, the German managed to come back from an initial 5-2 and won in the tiebreak, in the second he handed a 6-1 to the Spaniard, and he resolved the third with a 6-3. The German is thus seeking his first Grand Slam title, elusive until now, having been defeated in the three finals he has played so far (US Open 2020, against Dominic Thiem; Roland Garros 2024, against Alcaraz; and Australian Open 2025, against Sinner). He will face Joao Fonseca or Jakub Mensik for a spot in the final.
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Alexander Zverev is now in the semifinals for the fifth time in his Roland Garros career and this year he faces the great opportunity of his career to lift the title in Paris.
Alexander Zverev has shown tremendous performance on the court and has played at a level that made things impossible for Rafa Jódar.
Rafa Jódar stood his ground at all times. He played a great first set, surprising the ATP number 3 and reaching 5-2 with serve to take the first set. However, his hand trembled a bit in that game and he opened the door wide for a player who today played Grand Slam-winning level tennis.
And Rafa Jódar falls with honors. He again remains in the quarterfinals, as happened to him in the Madrid and Paris Masters 1000, but this time it was at Roland Garros, a Grand Slam, with the Philippe Chatrier crowd giving him a huge ovation.
The German tennis player earns the ticket for what will be the fifth semifinal of his career at Roland Garros.
VICTORY FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!!
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
MATCH POINT FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar with a precise drop shot that Alexander Zverev cannot reach scores the point
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev is one game away from victory!!! The German has just saved a break point against him and held the game with sensational first serves.
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
BREAK POINT FOR RAFA JÓDAR!!! The Spaniard gets his chance!!!
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Smash from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Rafa Jódar no chance
Rafa Jódar continues to stand his ground in this match!!! Despite having few chances to hold on to, no bad gestures, no protests, he simply plays and waits for his opportunity, a great attitude that has led him to a meteoric rise on the circuit.
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Second topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev does not give up his serve for now and that keeps him with a comfortable lead in the third set, which could already be decisive if things continue this way.
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar holds on and it is not easy because Alexander Zverev is playing an almost perfect match, especially with his forehand, traditionally his weakest shot.
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s drop shot hits the net
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Backhand from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar
Great forehand from the center of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Great forehand from the center of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Alexander Zverev is making a statement today and with the absences of Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic, he is emerging as the top candidate to lift the Musketeers’ Trophy this year.
Second topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great forehand from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s drop shot goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Alexander Zverev breaks Jódar’s serve right at the start of this third set, allowing him to take the lead on the scoreboard. It seems Jódar is really exhausted after some grueling matches to reach these quarterfinals.
ZVEREV BREAKS!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
TWO BREAK POINTS FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!!
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
The current ATP number 3 is one step away from qualifying for another Roland Garros semifinal and this third set looks like a do-or-die for Rafa Jódar.
Unstoppable in the second set, the Hamburg player gave no chance to the Madrid player and continued the momentum from the first set.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV TAKES THE SECOND SET!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
SET POINT FOR ZVEREV!!!
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
BREAK POINT FOR JÓDAR!!! First chance in this second set for the Spaniard.
Alexander Zverev’s drop shot goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Great backhand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
What a great level the German tennis player is showing!!! He now serves to take the second set of the match…
SECOND CONSECUTIVE BREAK BY ZVEREV!!!
Alexander Zverev with a precise drop shot that Rafa Jódar cannot reach scores the point
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s counter drop shot goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Alexander Zverev dominates the match at the moment, but if Rafa Jódar stands out for anything, it is for being a very consistent player and at any moment, if the German drops his level, he can get back into the match.
Alexander Zverev is flying on the court now!!! The Moscow-born player has confirmed the break gained in the previous game and manages to open a gap in the scoreboard in this second set of the match.
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Since reacting at 5-2 down in the first set, Alexander Zverev has been playing like an angel. He is the current ATP number 3 and aims to qualify for his fifth Roland Garros semifinal.
ZVEREV BREAKS!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
BREAK POINT FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!! First chance in this third set…
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great backhand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Rafa Jódar’s defensive lob goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
German player remains very stable with his serve. Rafa Jódar has not been able to approach a break opportunity for several minutes.
Second topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s defensive lob goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Great backhand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar responds with a love game. It is true that Alexander Zverev has raised his level a lot, but the Spaniard has to show him that he is still on the court and still competing.
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Great backhand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Alexander Zverev’s passing shot hits the net
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Smash from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Rafa Jódar no chance
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
FACT: Alexander Zverev has won his 12th consecutive tiebreak at Roland Garros, something no player had previously achieved in the history of the tournament.
The German player imposed his greater experience to take the first set of the match, a first set in which Rafa Jódar made things very difficult for him, to the point of being 5-2 up and serving to take it.
ZVEREV TAKES THE FIRST SET!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
THREE SET POINTS FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!!!
Backhand from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
2-3. Mini-break in favor of Zverev!!!
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Easy drop shot by Rafa Jódar with which he wins the point
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar with a precise drop shot that Alexander Zverev cannot reach scores the point
We go to the tiebreak!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s counter drop shot beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
Smash from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Rafa Jódar no chance
Great volley from mid-court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar showed his manual of resistance in a game that had become very dangerous for his interests. The young player from Leganés had to come back from a break point before securing at least the tiebreak in this tight and tense first set.
Alexander Zverev’s drop shot hits the net
Ace by Rafa Jódar with a topspin serve that Alexander Zverev cannot return
Second topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
BREAK POINT FOR ZVEREV!!!
Great backhand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev comes back!!! He makes good the break gained in the previous game and manages to level the score again in a first set that he had practically lost.
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great forehand from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
The German player was against the ropes, but he pressed now from the return and surprised Rafa Jódar, who concedes his first service game of the match.
BREAK BY ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!!
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
THREE BREAK POINTS FOR ZVEREV!!! Great chance to get back into this first set.
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his forehand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev holds now with his serve, but the first set is in the hands of Rafa Jódar, who serves to try to take it.
Smash from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Rafa Jódar no chance
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar consolidates the break gained in the previous game and is one game away from taking the first set of this duel.
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s counter drop shot beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Great forehand from the center of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Tremendous Spanish tennis player. If anyone thought he would feel the pressure, it is obvious they were wrong. He breaks the serve of the Hamburg player for the first time.
BREAK BY RAFA JÓDAR!!!
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
ANOTHER TWO BREAK POINTS FOR RAFA JÓDAR!!!
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Rafa Jódar with a volley close to the net wins the point
Second consecutive love game with his serve for the Madrid player.
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Ace by Rafa Jódar with a topspin serve that Alexander Zverev cannot return
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s passing shot hits the net
Both players are gaining cruising speed with their serve and are increasing their reliability in shots.
Backhand from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
Alexander Zverev with a precise drop shot that Rafa Jódar cannot reach scores the point
Love game now for Rafa Jódar!!! After struggling in his first service game, it was smooth sailing for the Spanish player on his debut on this impressive Philippe Chatrier court.
Second topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great forehand from the center of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s defensive lob goes wide
Alexander Zverev also suffered to hold his first service game of the match. He had to save two break points against him as well.
Topspin serve by Alexander Zverev, Rafa Jódar cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Alexander Zverev with a volley close to the net wins the point
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Ace by Alexander Zverev with a topspin serve on his second serve that Rafa Jódar cannot return
Smash from the center of the court by Alexander Zverev that gives Rafa Jódar no chance
Rafa Jódar hits his backhand into the net
TWO BREAK POINTS FOR RAFA JÓDAR!!! These are his first opportunities of the match.
Great forehand from the back of the court by Rafa Jódar that beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
Alexander Zverev fails to clear the net with his volley
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev fails to clear the net with his volley
Great start to the match for Rafa Jódar!!! The Spaniard had to overcome a very tough game in which he had to save two break points against him.
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Alexander Zverev’s forehand goes wide
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Alexander Zverev hits his backhand into the net
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Alexander Zverev hits his forehand into the net
The German player could not take advantage of any of the two break points he had in this first game of the match.
Alexander Zverev’s backhand goes wide
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
With an effective passing shot from the center of the court, Rafa Jódar beats Alexander Zverev and wins the point
BREAK POINT FOR ALEXANDER ZVEREV!!!
Rafa Jódar’s backhand goes wide
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Topspin serve by Rafa Jódar, Alexander Zverev cannot place the return and the ball goes wide
Great forehand from the back of the court by Alexander Zverev that beats Rafa Jódar and wins the point
Rafa Jódar’s forehand goes wide
FACT: Rafa Jódar has an 85.7% win rate on clay this season, with 18 wins and three losses in the 21 matches he has played on this surface so far. And those two losses were against two of the most in-form players currently: Arthur Fils in Barcelona and Jannik Sinner in Madrid.
Rafa Jódar currently ranks 29th in the ATP rankings, which has allowed him to be seeded in his first appearance at Roland Garros.
The Madrid player won his first ATP title in Marrakech, reached the semifinals at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, and was eliminated in the quarterfinals in Madrid and Rome.
The truth is that the Spanish player’s progression has been really impressive, with an extraordinary performance on the clay court swing.
The player from Leganés is seeking his first Grand Slam semifinal in his meteoric career on the circuit.
Good afternoon!!! Welcome to the live broadcast of the Roland Garros quarterfinal match between Rafa Jódar and Alexander Zverev. Ready? Let’s start…
