Djokovic outlasts Zverev to reach French semis

PARIS -- For 41 strokes, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev went backmost and distant successful a important speech during the 4th acceptable of their French Open quarterfinal.

After smacking a forehand winner, Djokovic stayed successful spot afterward, breathing heavily, with hands connected hips, scanning the lasting ovation from thousands of Court Philippe-Chatrier spectators.

The 38-year-old Djokovic, the No. 6 seed, proved excessively overmuch for No. 3 effect Zverev, a antheral who's a decennary younger and was past year's runner-up astatine Roland-Garros, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to acceptable up a semifinal showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner connected Friday.

Djokovic mightiness person slogged done a brace of three-match losing skids this play and slid to No. 6 successful the rankings. What hasn't changed is Djokovic's determination oregon his quality to beryllium his champion connected large stages -- and present he's 2 wins from a grounds 25th Grand Slam title.

That defining 41-stroke rally arrived much than 2 1/2 hours into lucifer and with Zverev successful possession of a interruption constituent and a accidental to get backmost into Wednesday's match.

Friday volition bring a tantalizing showdown betwixt the subordinate galore see the apical subordinate successful tennis history, Djokovic, and the subordinate who is astatine the apical of the men's crippled astatine the moment, Sinner. Djokovic and Sinner are tied 4-4 successful their head-to-head series, but Sinner, who hasn't mislaid a acceptable successful this French Open, has won the past 3 matchups.

No 1 has spent much weeks astatine No. 1 successful the rankings than Djokovic. No 1 has won much large championships oregon reached much large semifinals than his full that present stands astatine 51 aft becoming the second-oldest antheral to get that acold successful Paris.