German third seed Alexander Zverev capitalised on an error-filled performance from Carlos Alcaraz to tame the high-flying teenaged Spaniard 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7) on Tuesday and reach a second straight semi-final at the French Open.

This was the first time the 25-year-old Zverev defeated a top-10 opponent at a grand slam in 12 attempts and his victory came against a player who came into the contest having won 14 consecutive matches.

Zverev, who lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 semi-final, had a 2-1 head-to-head lead against Alcaraz but his opponent had won their most recent meeting — the only one on clay — this month in the final of the ATP Masters in Madrid.

Alcaraz made 56 unforced errors as Zverev saved a set point in the fourth set tie-break before converting his second matchpoint with a superb backhand service return.

Trevisan dominates

Unseeded Italian Martina Trevisan maintained her impressive form as she surged into the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3 defeat of Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez on Tuesday. She will take on American teenager Coco Gauff in the last-8. Gauff powered past compatriot Sloane Stephens 7-5, 6-2.

Trevisan had all the answers as she dominated most of the match against a below-par Fernandez who struggled to repeat the form that took her to last year’s US Open final.

The world No. 59 could have won in straight sets but wavered when serving for the match at 5-4 in the second as fellow left-hander Fernandez dug deep to stay in the contest.

Fernandez comfortably claimed the tie-break to become the first player to take a set off Trevisan at Roland Garros this year, but it was to prove only a brief respite.

Trevisan raced into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set and won a fiercely-contested fourth game to earn a double break.

Seventeenth seed Fernandez, who was treated for a foot injury in the first set, was never going to go away quietly though and broke serve twice herself to claw back to 3-5.

Thrilled teenager

The 18-year-old Gauff, the youngest player left in the draw, was hit by a brief spell of nerves late in the game.

“I feel so happy right now. Words can’t explain it. Last year in the quarters was a tough loss and that made me stronger for moments like today (Tuesday),” 18th seed Gauff said after reaching her first semi-final at a major. “Last time I played her (Stephens) I lost so I am happy it went differently.”

Sania’s last

Sania Mirza and her Czech partner Lucie Hradecka displayed fearless tennis but much younger and superior American singles players Gauff and Jessica Pegula prevailed in the women’s doubles third round, winning 6-4, 6-3.

Sania, playing her last match at Roland Garros, was impressive with her lower and angled forehands while Hradecka’s power-packed backhand from the baseline was a treat to watch but the Americans got those crucial points that dictated the outcome of the match. Reuters & PTI