French Open latest scores and updates
- Alexander Zverev plays Jakub Mensik in the first men's semi-final | Live from 2.30pm local time
- Three-time grand slam runner-up Zverev is the only former finalist left in the draw
- Second seed wins 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3
- Matteo Arnaldi withdraws from second semi-final with virus, with Flavio Cobolli into final
Matteo Arnaldi withdraws from French Open semi-final after suffering from virus
18:10 , Flo Clifford
Matteo Arnaldi has withdrawn before taking to the court for his French Open semi-final against compatriot Flavio Cobolli, allowing the 10th seed a walkover into the final.
The 25-year-old said he “can’t move, can’t eat and can’t drink” after coming down with illness overnight.
Unseeded Arnaldi was the lowest-ranked man to reach the last four at Roland-Garros since 1997 off the back of a stunning run, in which he spent nearly 20 hours on court over a gruelling two weeks.
But the Italian, who is ranked 104th in the world, came down with illness and will now not contest the final. His walkover means close friend Cobolli, the world No 14, will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s showpiece.
Matteo Arnaldi withdraws from French Open semi-final after suffering from virus
Alexander Zverev into French Open final
17:03 , Flo Clifford
That’s it for our coverage of day 13 at Roland-Garros. Second seed Alexander Zverev is into his second French Open final and fourth slam showpiece.
He’ll play the winner of tonight’s clash between 10th seed Flavio Cobolli and unseeded Matteo Arnaldi.
Alexander Zverev says:
16:45 , Flo Clifford
“Amazing the way he played this week, he beat some amazing players, I knew it would be the toughest challenge so far. I won, I’m happy.
“The atmosphere is always amazing, the French crowd is very into their tennis and I just enjoy playing on this beautiful court.”
He also says his coach hasn’t told him anything in 25 years, which I’m sure he will appreciate.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6 Alexander Zverev
16:41 , Flo Clifford
The first serve is out, to jeers from the crowd.
Mensik nets, and that’s the end of that. Zverev is into his fourth grand slam final and second at Roland-Garros.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 3-5 Alexander Zverev*
16:40 , Flo Clifford
One-way traffic at the moment. Mensik is defending doggedly but the power behind Zverev’s serve and groundstroke is proving difficult to handle.
A 216km/h ace brings up match point...
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 3-5 Alexander Zverev*
16:37 , Flo Clifford
Mensik holds with some tidy serving and helped by a Zverev forehand down the line straying long.
The second seed will now serve for a place in the final.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 2-5 Alexander Zverev
16:34 , Flo Clifford
Zverev wraps up another easy hold. Mensik must serve to stay in this semi-final.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 2-4 Alexander Zverev*
16:30 , Flo Clifford
Zverev gets a time violation warning for taking the mick at the changeover and retaping his racquet while Mensik waits, then there’s more booing as he demands the umpire check a ball mark which James Keothavong can only shrug at, as if to say, “Are you being serious?”
Mensik squanders two game points and is taken to deuce as he hammers a dismal backhand well wide. But two errors from Zverev seal the hold.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 1-4 Alexander Zverev
16:23 , Flo Clifford
Zverev’s head drops as he makes a complete hash of a routine drop right at the net, with the whole court at his mercy. But he holds to 15 with a big first serve.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 1-3 Alexander Zverev*
16:19 , Flo Clifford
Mensik is back under pressure on serve and has a frustrated chat with the umpire as an ace is called as a let. He fights to advantage but then sprays the ball wide - but an unreturnable serve gets him back in front.
An overly obvious drop shot is a poor choice and Zverev plants away the winner. Deuce again.
But he holds with another sweet net volley. Still in it.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 0-3 Alexander Zverev
16:10 , Flo Clifford
Boos ring out as Zverev contests a line call, with both players already walking back to their chairs, but the umpire says Mensik’s shot was in! Zverev’s shoulders drop and he’s clearly fuming. They replay the point, with the second seed 40-30 up on serve.
Mensik shanks into the net and Zverev holds.
BREAK! Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2, 0-2 Alexander Zverev*
16:05 , Flo Clifford
After all that hard work, Mensik stumbles over a return and suddenly is in danger at deuce.
He overhits a backhand down the line and hands over an early break. How crucial will that be?
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2 Alexander Zverev*
16:03 , Flo Clifford
Zverev opens the set with a double fault, but holds to 15.
GAME AND THIRD SET! Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 6-2 Alexander Zverev
15:55 , Flo Clifford
Mensik goes for the serve-and-volley and it works to great effect, bringing up 40-0.
And a lovely deft drop shot, after a bruising baseline rally, seals the set!
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 5-3 Alexander Zverev
15:52 , Flo Clifford
Zverev ups the aggression and holds with ease. Can Mensik serve this one out?
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 5-2 Alexander Zverev*
15:49 , Flo Clifford
This match has suddenly come alive. The crowd are loving it. Mensik’s deft touch at the net brings Zverev forward, and his lob drifts long. Now he must serve to stay in the set!
BREAK! *Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 4-2 Alexander Zverev
15:46 , Flo Clifford
Now the crowd have something to cheer about! Mensik has a little more pep in his step and fist bumps as he comes out on top in another close net exchange, fizzing a backhand volley cross-court behind Zverev, and he has a first break point since the first set!
And he takes it with a superb drop shot! The crowd love it, and Mensik pumps the air to hear more encouragement. “Oles” break out from one corner.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 3-2 Alexander Zverev*
15:41 , Flo Clifford
Some clown shouts out “come on Djokovic” as Mensik prepares to serve, but he holds easily as Zverev hammers long.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 2-2 Alexander Zverev
15:38 , Flo Clifford
Mensik gets a warm round of applause as he returns. He appears to be moving okay, but gets pushed and pulled around the court, and marooned at the sideline, flings his racquet out in the vague direction of a ball he’s nowhere near.
Zverev plants a lovely backhand down the line just inside the court. There’s a bit of booing as he gets into debate with the umpire over a disputed call, but wraps up the hold easily.
MEDICAL TIMEOUT: Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 2-1 Alexander Zverev*
15:27 , Flo Clifford
Mensik receives some treatment from the physio, looks to be an issue with his neck, and is now heading off court for a medical timeout.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 2-1 Alexander Zverev*
15:25 , Flo Clifford
Mensik’s first serves in are still hovering around 54 per cent. It’s a huge weapon for him when it works well - as it did against Fonseca - but it has just not been firing today.
Zverev makes a couple of unforced errors, going long, and Mensik hammers a forehand into the corner to hold.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 1-1 Alexander Zverev
15:22 , Flo Clifford
Zverev races to a routine hold. It looks like this is only going one way.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6, 1-0 Alexander Zverev*
15:19 , Flo Clifford
The atmosphere on Chatrier is rather muted but the crowd shows its appreciation as Mensik defends doggedly at the net and volleys a brilliant shot past Zverev, rooted to the spot.
Mensik holds to 15 with a big serve out wide.
GAME AND SECOND SET! Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-6 Alexander Zverev
15:15 , Flo Clifford
Mensik is looking rather deflated, as well he might be. A couple of shanked returns fail to clear the net and that hands over the set.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-5 Alexander Zverev*
15:10 , Flo Clifford
Mensik’s backhand is breaking down a bit and he’s in trouble at 0-30.
An ace out wide helps him out, but he has no response to a Zverev backhand winner, and the this match is in danger of completely barrelling away from him.
He comes out on top in another fast net exchange. But a double fault hands over the break, and Zverev will serve for a two-set lead.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-4 Alexander Zverev
15:07 , Flo Clifford
Zverev races to a routine hold, courtesy of some sloppy errors from Mensik.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 2-3 Alexander Zverev*
15:03 , Flo Clifford
Mensik stops play to indicate a Zverev ball is out, and the umpire agrees. A big ace and some more tidy serving wrap up a hold to love. Much better from the Czech.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 1-3 Alexander Zverev
15:00 , Flo Clifford
Well, well. A dire double fault, the second serve landing miles beyond the service box, and this game is a bit more interesting. Deuce.
But two big first serves help him out of trouble.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 1-2 Alexander Zverev*
14:58 , Flo Clifford
Zverev is in cruise control now. He dinks in a drop shot, has Mensik pinned at the net, and fizzes a volley cross-court behind him.
Mensik goes for the backhand slice drop shot but it falls short and his frustration is evident, the body language telling the story.
But Zverev completely stumbles over a routine forehand, and a vicious Mensik forehand to the baseline takes him by surprise too and he can’t clear the net. 40-30.
BREAK! Jakub Mensik 5-7, 1-2 Alexander Zverev*
14:53 , Flo Clifford
Zverev hammers a forehand cross-court behind Mensik as he ventures forward and that’s another two break points.
And he takes it at the first time of asking, the pair going back and forth in a table-tennis style net rally, before Mensik can’t stretch far enough and thwacks the ball off his frame and out.
*Jakub Mensik 5-7, 1-1 Alexander Zverev
14:51 , Flo Clifford
A Zverev forehand looks to be dropping well long but just about makes it onto the line.
The umpire checks a first serve which certainly looked out from the press box, and he double faults for the first time. But another vicious serve keeps him in control and Mensik can’t reach the resulting drop shot.
Jakub Mensik 5-7, 1-0 Alexander Zverev*
14:46 , Flo Clifford
Mensik gets onto the front foot with a nice drive volley but then double faults and tips his head back in frustration. His first serve percentage has been way down, at 55 per cent.
But he holds with a booming serve and tidy volley.
GAME AND FIRST SET! Jakub Mensik 5-7 Alexander Zverev
14:40 , Flo Clifford
Some of the fight looks to have gone out of Mensik now. Zverev redirects him nicely with the combo of a serve out wide and forehand into the opposite corner, does it again, and that brings up set point.
Mensik drags one back with another brilliant backhand winner down the line, but Zverev has two more set points.
And he goes long! 40-30.
An ace seals the set. The German has just been too solid.
BREAK! Jakub Mensik 5-6 Alexander Zverev*
14:35 , Flo Clifford
Mensik double faults twice in his next service game and now Zverev has a first break point as he pummels a forehand beyond the Czech’s reach.
Now Mensik goes for the drop volley but Zverev gets there, and the Czech nets the reply. The second seed will serve for the set.
*Jakub Mensik 5-5 Alexander Zverev
14:31 , Flo Clifford
Mensik plays a tidy cross-court backhand which lands just on the tramline, and Zverev can’t get his volley over the net. 15-15.
But some fierce serving completes an easy hold.
Jakub Mensik 5-4 Alexander Zverev*
14:27 , Flo Clifford
Mensik looks a bit more sparky now and is going for his shots a bit more. Zverev thumps a forehand long for 40-0 and does the same on a second serve return, and that’s a nice, easy hold for the Czech.
*Jakub Mensik 4-4 Alexander Zverev
14:25 , Flo Clifford
A Mensik cross-court forehand, at full stretch, fizzes long, and Zverev escapes.
Jakub Mensik 4-3 Alexander Zverev*
14:23 , Flo Clifford
Mensik earns another break point, a cross-court backhand lasered into the far corner, and Zverev’s reply drops long!
A baby crying disrupts the German as he prepares to serve. He makes the second... Mensik overhits. Deuce again.
Jakub Mensik 4-3 Alexander Zverev*
14:21 , Flo Clifford
Zverev thunders down a 206km/h ace out wide. But Mensik does well to push him off balance, and chants of “Jakub, Jakub” erupt as the 20-year-old gets to 15-30 after forcing the error.
Now Zverev goes for the drop shot but back comes a superb backhand down the line, arcing inwards and right into the corner, and Mensik has two break points!
The first is saved with an unreturnable serve. The second as a Mensik backhand, from right at the back of the court, just drops short. Deuce.
Jakub Mensik 4-3 Alexander Zverev*
14:15 , Flo Clifford
Mensik goes for the backhand slice drop shot again, to great effect, and there’s a smattering of “Come on Jakub” around Chatrier. Plenty of support for both players.
Mensik fires a massive serve out wide before Zverev fires wildly long again on the forehand - wasting a look-in on second serve - and that’s the Czech’s first hold without being taken to deuce.
*Jakub Mensik 3-3 Alexander Zverev
14:11 , Flo Clifford
Zverev gets off the mark with a venomous first serve but the spanks another forehand looping up and out of play - he’s having some difficulty on that side.
There’s some frustration apparent from Mensik as he backhands into the net; he hasn’t been able to make real inroads on the Zverev serve just yet. The German holds.
Jakub Mensik 3-2 Alexander Zverev*
14:07 , Flo Clifford
Zverev goes 0-30 up as the Czech double faults before Mensik applies the drop shot again, to great effect as the ball dies away.
He comes out on top in a long baseline exchange, the German slamming into the net, but Zverev continues to ramp up the pressure and for the third service game in a row Mensik is taken to deuce.
The second seed thumps a backhand into the net and then can’t keep a fine Mensik backhand down the line in play, and that wraps a hold. No break points faced yet.
*Jakub Mensik 2-2 Alexander Zverev
14:00 , Flo Clifford
Zverev steps up the aggression and is rewarded with an easy hold to love.
Jakub Mensik 2-1 Alexander Zverev*
13:56 , Flo Clifford
Zverev has a look-in at 0-30 on the Mensik serve but the 20-year-old responds with a superb ace out wide.
Another wayward forehand from the German helps Mensik out, and the Czech ventures forward again with a delicate drop shot for 40-30.
Those net approaches vary in success: another one brings up game point, but a second on the forehand side is poor.
Zverev nets twice in succession, and there’s the hold.
*Jakub Mensik 1-1 Alexander Zverev
13:50 , Flo Clifford
Mensik goes for the drop volley again but Zverev, despite being 6’6”, moves well and chases it down, finishing off the point with a languid ball into the open court. Both on the board.
Jakub Mensik 1-0 Alexander Zverev*
13:48 , Flo Clifford
Mensik does well to reach a booming first serve and then chase down a drop shot in quick succession, but Zverev stays with him in a sharp net rally before planting away a volley into the open court.
Mensik gets unlucky with a drop shot dropping back onto his side of the net, but fires back with a lovely backhand down the line to put some pressure on at 40-30.
Zverev punts a forehand well wide for deuce.
Jakub Mensik 1-0 Alexander Zverev*
13:44 , Flo Clifford
Mensik fires long and wide for deuce, but draws Zverev to the net with some smart play and hammers down a smash to hold. Danger averted.
*Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev
13:40 , Flo Clifford
Onto the first of today’s semi-finals, with Jakub Mensik to serve first. It’s a grey, overcast day with the threat of rain, but the roof is open for now.
“Allez Jakub, c’est pas fini!” shouts some joker after the Czech nets at the end of the first rally.
Mats Wilander: 'There's never been more pressure on Zverev'
13:30 , Flo Clifford
Speaking on TNT Sports, Mats Wilander says: “It’s his turn. He’s never played tennis with more pressure on his shoulders. 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 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 Sascha Zverev is the favourite.”
Andre Agassi criticises Jannik Sinner after French Open shock: ‘There’s no excuse’
13:20 , Flo Clifford
Eight-time grand slam champion Andre Agassi said there is “no excuse” for Jannik Sinner, the overwhelming favourite at this year’s French Open, to have struggled so much in the heat in his shock second-round exit.
The Italian had enjoyed an imperious run on clay, winning titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome in the build-up to Roland-Garros and had been near-universally expected to seal the title in Paris.
But he struggled with cramp when 6-3 6-2 5-1 up against Juan Manuel Cerundolo and said he felt dizzy and nauseous, with his body breaking down as he lost 15 points in a row and the temperature climbed to 32 degrees amid a heatwave.
Andre Agassi criticises Jannik Sinner after French Open shock: ‘There’s no excuse’
Serena Williams fuels Wimbledon speculation as she adds second tournament to her comeback schedule
13:10 , Flo Clifford
In other tennis news... Serena Williams has expanded her highly anticipated return to professional tennis, adding a second grass-court tournament to her schedule as speculation mounts regarding a potential Wimbledon appearance.
The 44-year-old will make her comeback next week in London, partnering Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko in the doubles at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club.
It was confirmed on Friday that Williams will also compete in doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open, commencing on 15 June, though her partner for that event is yet to be announced.
Williams fuels Wimbledon rumours as she adds second tournament to comeback schedule
Jakub Mensik outlasts Joao Fonseca in battle of new stars but greater test awaits
12:58 , Flo Clifford
In a battle of two youngsters heavily tipped to challenge leading lights Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, it was Jakub Mensik who outlasted his younger opponent Joao Fonseca to book a place in his first grand slam semi-final.
The match in some ways mimicked those early clashes between Alcaraz and Sinner: the flashy, much-hyped, pure shotmaker and entertainer against the more brutal, clinical, machine-like opponent. And in this case it was the precise serving of Mensik – coupled with a delicate touch at the net – that prevailed over the more spectacular, but equally more erratic, tennis of his 19-year-old challenger.
Jakub Mensik outlasts Joao Fonseca in battle of new stars but greater test awaits
Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev
12:48 , Flo Clifford
Turning our attention to today’s last four, Czech talent Jakub Mensik plays the experienced Alexander Zverev in the first of today’s semi-finals.
It’s 20-year-old Mensik’s first grand slam semi-final and Zverev’s 11th.
Who is Maja Chwalinska? The Polish qualifier on stunning run to French Open final
12:38 , Flo Clifford
The women’s French Open finals will feature the eighth seed and the world No 114, who came through qualifying on a storming run into the final.
Poland’s Maja Chwalinska has won nine matches in a row, including three in Roland-Garros qualifying, to make her maiden grand slam final - and has made history in the process.
She is the first player to go through qualifying to make the French Open final, and only the second to ever make a grand slam showpiece as a qualifier, after Emma Raducanu at the US Open in 2021.
Who is Maja Chwalinska? Polish qualifier on stunning run to French Open final
Qualifier Maja Chwalinska continues fairytale run to reach French Open final
12:28 , Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu’s status as the only qualifier ever to win a grand slam title could be erased on Saturday by remarkable Polish outsider Maja Chwalinska.
The 24-year-old’s 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Russian Diana Shnaider on Court Philippe Chatrier was her ninth in a row at Roland Garros, and set up a final clash with eighth seed Mirra Andreeva.
Chwalinska, who is ranked 114th, arrived in Paris as one of 128 players just hoping to make it through to the main draw and without ever having beaten a top-50 player.
Now she has toppled four in a row as well as Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, and will fully believe she can match Raducanu’s fairytale run in New York five years ago.
Qualifier Maja Chwalinska continues remarkable run to reach French Open final
How Mirra Andreeva drowned out the noise to march into French Open final
12:18 , Flo Clifford
In a clash of teenage prodigies past and present it was 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva who took a step further to fulfilling her long-evident potential, as she booked a place in her first grand slam final at the expense of the in-form Marta Kostyuk, winning 6-1 6-3.
23-year-old Kostyuk had been the most dangerous player left in the draw after an unbeaten run on the red dirt this season and titles in Rouen and Madrid. But the Ukrainian wilted under bright sunshine in Paris, leaking 34 unforced errors to her opponent’s 22 and largely failing to trouble Andreeva’s composed, clinical ballstriking.
How Mirra Andreeva drowned out the noise to march into French Open final
Women's semi-final results
12:11 , Flo Clifford
Before we turn our attention to today’s semi-finalists, here’s a quick recap of what happened in yesterday’s women’s final four...
Mirra Andreeva [8] def. Marta Kostyuk [15] 6-1 6-3
Maja Chwalinska def. Diana Shnaider [25] 7-6(4) 6-4
Why Alexander Zverev would be the French Open’s most complicated winner
12:06 , Flo Clifford
Three-time grand slam semi-finalist is the overwhelming favourite to win the title in the absence of Jannik Sinner. But his continued presence on the tour divides opinion and raises difficult questions about the sport’s handling of thorny legal issues.
Why Alexander Zverev would be the French Open’s most complicated winner
Today's order of play
12:02 , Flo Clifford
2.30pm local time (1.30pm BST)
Jakub Mensik [26] v Alexander Zverev [2]
Not before 7pm local time (6pm BST)
Matteo Arnaldi v Flavio Cobolli [10]
Good afternoon
11:59 , Flo Clifford
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the French Open men’s semi-finals!
Yesterday’s women’s semis saw Mirra Andreeva sweep aside Marta Kostyuk, while qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her fairytale run by beating Diana Shnaider.
Today, three-time major runner-up Alexander Zverev faces Jakub Mensik, before an all-Italian duel between Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.
