Alexander Zverev and Jakub Mensik will go head-to-head in the semifinals of Roland Garros, where both players are chasing their first Grand Slam title.
Zverev leads Mensik 1-0 in their head-to-head record, which may give the German a slight advantage ahead of their clash in Paris.
But nerves are certain to impact both ATP aces in the early stages of the match, which will take place at the iconic Philippe Chatrier.
The winner of the highly anticipated Roland Garros semifinal has now been predicted, with John Isner and Sam Querrey in agreement about the outcome.
Prove me wrong – Alexander Zverev WILL win Roland Garros now
John Isner and Sam Querrey predict Alexander Zverev vs Jakub Mensik winner
Joined by Steve Johnson, the Americans discussed the encounter in the French capital on the Nothing Major Show.
Their fellow former player Johnson commented: “I have got Zverev. Probably something similar to the [Rafael] Jodar match.
“Maybe Mensik gets a set early, comes out hot and has some big serves and big games, but over the course of three or four hours, I think Sascha is going to make this as physical as possible, which is what he is very good at, and he is just going to take the legs the longer it goes, and expose Mensik’s time on court from the previous tournament.
“It’s tough to recover fully in those two days. I would take Zverev probably in four sets, with him running away with the fourth set.”
Querrey then said: “I think it’ll be Zverev in three,” with Isner adding: “I like Zverev. It seems right now he is just a better version of Mensik.
“His forehand is a little more solid than Mensik’s, so Zverev is going to possibly expose that forehand. I thought [Joao] Fonseca was playing too many balls to his backhand.
“I know Fonseca likes to dictate with the forehand and go inside out as his most natural pattern but I don’t think he was working the Mensik forehand enough, which of the wings can spray.
“He does not miss his backhand. I think Zverev will be able to expose the forehand better than Fonseca did.
“I think his game plan will be a bit better. He will stand really far back, use his reach and his movement. He is playing so well right now.”
How fatigue could impact Jakub Mensik against Alexander Zverev
It is all set to be an intriguing clash between Zverev and Mensik, with fatigue perhaps playing a crucial role in the outcome.
The German has won four of his five matches in three sets, and defeated Quentin Halys in four sets in his other match.
In stark contrast, the Czech youngster has won just two of his five matches in straight sets, having needed four to get past Alex de Minaur, and five to beat both Andrey Rublev and Mariano Navone.
Unsurprisingly, both of those five-set epics were lengthy encounters, which could mean a very tired Mensik against Zverev.
Still, there is huge motivation for both players given what is at stake, with the winner set for a Roland Garros final appearance against either Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi.
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