Why rest day may have benefited Jakub Mensik more than Alexander Zverev ahead of French Open semi-final

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Alexander Zverev is the ”favourite” to win the 2026 French Open, but will two days away from the court have benefited his ”dangerous” semi-final opponent Jakub Mensik more?

Ouch! Watch as poor Mensik suffers severe cramp during press conference

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Zverev is the only top-five seed still standing in Paris following the early exits of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and world No. 4 Novak Djokovic.

He is bidding to win his first Grand Slam title, having lost in three previous finals, and has so far only dropped one set in five matches.

Mensik, who is one of the sport’s rising stars, has been pushed further to the limit on his way to his first major semi-final.

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He could not stand after a gruelling five-set win over Mariano Navone in the second round and was also taken the distance by Andrey Rublev in the last 16.

Neither Zverev nor Mensik have played since Tuesday, and TNT Sports expert Andre Agassi thinks the break will have helped Mensik recover physically.

”He’s had two days off to get something back in the tank," Agassi said. "In my experience, that’s enough for you to get back to a full tank. He has a huge game.

”Let me comment on two days off for Zverev. That’s not easy when you’ve never won a Slam and you have two days to think about it.”

Zverev made his first Grand Slam final at the 2020 US Open when he was beaten by Dominic Thiem.

He has been thwarted in two other finals by Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but now has an opportunity to claim his maiden major.

TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander believes Zverev is the favourite against Mensik but says ”there has never been more pressure on his shoulders”.

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”It’s his turn,” said Wilander. ”I think Mensik is very dangerous, but Zverev is definitely the favourite. He’s playing really well and there’s no reason why he should drop his level.

”When you win at a Grand Slam, you play better and better and better and your best matches are towards the end of the tournament.

”So, I’m expecting him to play great, but Jakub Mensik is so dangerous and can take the racquet out of your hand because he’s so complete. But I do think Zverev is the favourite.”

Friday’s semi-final will be the second career meeting between Zverev and Mensik.

The first came just over a month ago in Madrid when Zverev beat Mensik in three sets.

Assessing the match-up, Agassi said: ”You have two guys with great backhands - one of them defensively even though he can hurt you with it, that’s Sascha. And then Mensik who is looking to do damage with that shot.

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”I would give Zverev a little advantage on his serve just because of his percentage, but obviously Mensik’s forehand is a better shot.”

Mensik has recorded two statement victories over the last year, beating Djokovic to win his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami in 2025, and then defeating Sinner in Doha earlier this season.

The winner of the semi-final will likely be the favourite in the final against either 10th seed Flavio Cobolli or unseeded Matteo Arnaldi.

Given the amount of shocks that have already happened at the French Open, TNT Sports expert Tim Henman would not be surprised to see more in the semis.

Henman said: ”You do have two favourites in those matches in Zverev and Cobolli, but look at what has happened so far.

”You can throw that form book out the window because we have seen so many underdogs produce so many incredible performances.”

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