Alexander Zverev Beats Rafael Jodar, Updated French Open Men's Bracket at Roland-Garros

Alexander Zverev is one step closer to glory after beating Rafael Jodar 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros on Tuesday.

This is the fifth time in the last six years he has reached the semis in Paris.

Zverev holds the distinction of being the best active player without a Grand Slam title, and some have considered this tournament now or never. With Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal and Jannik Sinner's second-round upset, the German may not have an opportunity as good as this again.

That might've been weighing on Zverev to open Tuesday's match. He was sluggish out of the gate, committing 16 unforced errors and failing to take advantage of Jodar's second serve. The Spaniard won 10 of his 14 second service points.

After breaking Zverev's serve in the sixth game, Jodar took a 5-2 lead. His confidence was overflowing.

His inexperience at this stage might've gotten the better of him, though.

Jodar couldn't put Zverev away in the first set and paid dearly. Zverev reeled off three straight games to tie the set at 5-5, and then he cruised in the eventual tiebreaker.

From that point forward, Jodar didn't have any answers.

Zverev needed just 36 minutes to take the second set. He lost seven combined points over four service games and saved a break-point chance for Jodar when up 5-1.

Jodar mounted more resistance in the third set, but he had dug himself into too deep a hole. On match point, Zverev hammered a forehand down the line to seal the victory in emphatic fashion.

Jodar should have a bright future ahead, particularly on the clay at Roland-Garros. This year was simply a bridge too far for him.

Zverev will get either Jakub Mensik or Joao Fonseca in the semifinals. Earlier this year, he beat Fonseca at the Monte-Carlo Masters, their only head-to-head meeting so far, and also prevailed over Mensik at the Madrid Open in their lone encounter.

Both of those matches required a decisive third set, so neither opponent could be a pushover for Zverev in pursuit of an elusive Grand Slam trophy.