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Sports

Zverev eases past Mensik in French Open semifinals, in striking distance of elusive Grand Slam title

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3 hours ago

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Alexander Zverev moved to the verge of a long-awaited first Grand Slam title as the second seed saw off Jakub Mensik in four sets (7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3) to reach his second French Open final on Friday.

The German will face 10th seed Flavio Cobolli, who qualified without playing after fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi pulled out of the tournament due to illness.

Zverev has endured several near misses at major tournaments, with three previous final defeats, including against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros two years ago.

“This is a Grand Slam, it’s best of five, things are going to happen, opponents are going to play better. I managed it,” said Zverev.

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Read moreZverev reaches French Open semi-finals as Mensik ends Fonseca run

“I hope to play another great match on Sunday.”

But he will be a strong favourite against either Cobolli or world number 104 Arnaldi to finally get over the line and lift a Slam trophy.

The world number three was playing in his 11th Grand Slam semi-final and his experience showed against Czech youngster Mensik.

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The 20-year-old, in the last four of a major for the first time, tired as the match went on as his previous exertions in Paris, including two five-set matches, took their toll.

Zverev has dealt well with the pressure of being the tournament favourite since the early exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, in the second and third rounds respectively.

Read moreSinner eliminated from French Open under scorching temperatures

He will face one last test of his mental strength on Court Philippe Chatrier in two days’ time, but should at least be fresh physically after reaching the final having only lost two sets in six matches.

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“Pure emptiness, there’s absolutely nothing in my head,” insisted a smiling Zverev in his on-court interview.

“We’re athletes, very few of us have anything in our heads. Sometimes it’s easier to be stupid and not to think too much.”

The 29-year-old has been within one set of victory in two of his previous Slam finals, when facing Alcaraz in Paris in 2024 and when he blew a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.

Zverev is also aiming to end a 14-month title drought dating back to a clay-court event in Munich in April last year.

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Mensik briefly threatens comeback

Zverev took a closely-fought first set courtesy of a break in the 11th game, having earlier saved three break points to deny Mensik a 5-3 lead.

The 26th seed could not keep pace at all in the second set, as Zverev broke twice and only dropped four points on his own serve.

Read moreA rich man’s game? How Roland Garros host France turned its back on clay

Mensik called for a medical time-out just three games into the third set, appearing to struggle with a neck injury.

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But he dragged himself back into the contest seemingly out of nowhere, breaking to take a 4-2 lead in the third set as his use of the drop shot started to make a greater impact.

That shot wrapped up a hold to love and the set – only the second Zverev had lost in the tournament.

Mensik could not keep up his momentum, though, falling 2-0 behind in the fourth set as consecutive backhand unforced errors gifted Zverev a break.

The three-time Grand Slam runner-up powered into the final from there, despite drawing the ire of some spectators for disputing two line calls and also receiving a warning for a time violation.

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Zverev wrapped up victory on his first match point as Mensik netted a backhand.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP) 

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Sports

Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska preview, head-to-head, odds, prediction & betting tips

Published

12 minutes ago

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5 June 2026

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Match Details

Fixture: (8) Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska

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Date: June 6, 2026

Tournament: French Open 2026

Round: Final

Category: Grand Slam

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Surface: Outdoor clay

Venue: Court Philippe-Chatrier, Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France

Prize Money: €61,723,000

Live Telecast: USA – TNT, truTV, HBO Max | UK – TNT Sports, HBO Max | Canada – TSN, RDS

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Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska preview

Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva will take on unseeded Maja Chwalinska in the final of the 2026 French Open on Saturday.

Andreeva has enjoyed a superb 2026 campaign and established herself as one of the most consistent performers on the WTA Tour. She began the season by winning the Adelaide International title, defeating Victoria Mboko in the final. The Russian has since piled up a series of deep runs, including multiple quarterfinal and semifinal appearances. She also captured a clay-court title at the Linz Open and finished runner-up at the Madrid Open. At Roland Garros, Andreeva has defeated Fiona Ferro, Marina Bassols Ribera, Marie Bouzkova, Jil Teichmann, Sorana Cirstea, and Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 to secure her place in the championship match.

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Meanwhile, Chwalinska arrived in Paris with far less attention surrounding her name, but has emerged as the surprise package of the tournament. The Pole spent much of the season competing on the WTA 125 circuit, where her standout result was winning the WTA 125 Oeiras 3 title. She then began her Roland Garros campaign in qualifying and has authored a remarkable Cinderella run, defeating Zheng Qinwen, Elise Mertens, Maria Sakkari, Diane Parry, Anna Kalinskaya, and Diana Shnaider 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the first Grand Slam final of her career.

Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska head-to-head

Their current head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska odds

Player Match odds Handicap bets Total Games
Mirra Andreeva
Maja Chwalinska

(Odds will be updated when available)

Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska prediction

Andreeva has a rare ability to make difficult matches look straightforward. She combines consistency, court awareness, and tactical flexibility, allowing her to adapt to different styles and find solutions as matches unfold. Whether rallies are short or extended, she is usually comfortable adjusting her approach.

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Chwalinska has been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, using her variety, touch, and resilience to put together an impressive run. She is capable of disrupting rhythm, creating awkward patterns, and forcing opponents to think their way through points.

The challenge for Chwalinska will be sustaining that pressure against a player who thrives on problem-solving. Andreeva is rarely rushed into poor decisions and tends to grow stronger as she gathers information throughout a match.

In this matchup, Andreeva’s ability to absorb different looks and gradually take control of the tactical battle could be the defining factor. Chwalinska has the creativity to make things interesting, but the Russian’s balance between consistency and adaptability makes her difficult to unsettle over an extended contest.

Pick: Andreeva to win in three sets.

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Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska betting tips

Tip 1: Andreeva will win at least one set with a score of 7-5 or better.

Tip 2: The match will have at least 20 games.