Tennis
2026-06-05 - Jakub Mensik vs Alexander Zverev
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Tennis : French Open Semi Final
Friday 5th June 2026 - Scheduled 2:30pm
1:30pm (British Time)
Preview
The favourites have continued to fall throughout the two weeks at the French Open, but Alexander Zverev has been holding himself together and has been in this position for a number of days now. There is going to be little doubt in the German's camp that Zverev may never have a better chance to break his Grand Slam duck and win the title on Sunday, but it is imperative that all stay focused on the matches as they come.
For so long Alexander Zverev has been chasing a generation including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but two have retired and Djokovic looks like his best is finally behind him. Instead of allowing Alexander Zverev and his peers take over the top of the sport, the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have broken through and over the last two years either one or the other has gotten the better of the World Number 3.
None of those players mentioned can stop Alexander Zverev at the 2026 French Open, but he is now fending off another generation of players having beaten a teenager in the Quarter Final and now taking on a 20 year old who has become just the fifth Men's player from his nation to reach a Grand Slam Semi Final.
But that is not enough for Jakub Mensik, who has been touted for the top of the sport ever since he upset Novak Djokovic to win the Miami Masters last year.
Unsurprisingly that also meant a target on Jakub Mensik's back and he has perhaps struggled with that, which has led to him dropping from World Number 12 in March 2025 to World Number 27 ahead of this tournament.
He is going to back up near his career best World Ranking mark at the end of this Grand Slam, but Jakub Mensik has shown plenty of grit and determination to believe he deserves plenty of respect in the Semi Final. No one will be surprised he is the underdog, but Mensik has battled through adversity throughout this tournament and that will have given him a lot of confidence.
Getting past Joao Fonseca in straight sets in the Quarter Final will also be a big help for Jakub Mensik, who looked to be struggling with some physical ailments at various times during that last eight clash. The 20 year old has spent a lot more time on the court compared with Alexander Zverev and you cannot ignore that as a factor, but being in this half of the draw and playing in the Tuesday Quarter Final does mean Jakub Mensik has had two full days of recovery time to prepare physically and mentally.
The players have a recent knowledge of playing one another and on this surface- a few weeks ago, Alexander Zverev beat Jakub Mensik in the Fourth Round at the Madrid Masters, but that was a match that needed a third set decider. Both produced a big serving day, although Alexander Zverev eventually had the edge, and that is going to be a key shot when it comes to the outcome of this Semi Final.
Most will make Alexander Zverev favourite, which is the right choice, but Jakub Mensik has shown he can dig in and produce some very good tennis on this surface.
Another windy day is expected, although not as windy as Wednesday and Thursday, and the match may come down to which of the players can get on the front foot the quickest.
Experience is certainly with Alexander Zverev and that should never be downplayed, but Jakub Mensik could push him hard through the first couple of hours on the court and the younger player can at least win a set.
With both players capable of rolling through service games, this could be a Semi Final that needs at least 38 games to find a winner who will then play for the French Open title on Sunday afternoon in Paris.
Prediction
The extra day of recovery should aid Jakub Mensik to make this a competitive Semi Final, even if Alexander Zverev may ultimately prevail on Friday at the French Open.
The Pick :
Jakub Mensik 1-3 Alexander Zverev
