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.
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 wait for a first major.
He is one of only three top-10 seeds left in the draw, one of three players with experience of playing in a major final and is competing on a surface on which he has won nine of his 24 titles.
Credit: BBC
