Novak Djokovic marches into semis in French Open with familiar steeliness, Jannik Sinner beware

The first: even at 38 years old, Djokovic is no slouch. More injuries may have been creeping in and recovery may have become tougher, but his match fitness and sharpness remain as good as ever – in the decisive moments, if a marathon is what he is called upon to do, he can still do so with aplomb.

41 SHOTS RALLY TO SAVE A BREAK POINT 🤯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/jGhlFQ3qTy

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2025

The second, and perhaps most important: the familiar steeliness with which Djokovic marches through the early rounds of Majors and prepares himself to face the very best in the world is very much alive.

As the 24-time Major winner rolled over Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in over three hours on Wednesday night, the Serb was not at his glorious best, but the way he slowly moved up gears and cleverly solved problems may serve a cautious reminder to his next opponent. For World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semifinal, it may not be the same cakewalk that the Italian has had in his last 19 matches at Grand Slam level – each of which he has won with ease.

“My game is based on a lot of running. I am 38 years old, it is not easy to keep running like that but, okay, it works,” Djokovic said wryly on court after the win. With it, he became the oldest man to reach the Roland Garros semifinals since 1968 and reached a staggering 51st Major semifinal.

The Serb started the match loosely, giving away his serve in the very first game and Zverev stayed solid enough for the rest of the set, serving phenomenally and riding that to win.

But as the match wore on, Djokovic did what he does best – he improved in incremental, almost imperceptible, yet decisive ways. He started taking bigger cuts on shots down the line, throwing in as many drop shots (35 in total) and lobs as he could, moonballing and hitting neutral balls to give his opponent extra time to think – anything that would make Zverev uncomfortable. In response, the German duly capitulated.

After losing 12 of the next 17 games since the first set, Zverev would look over at his box quizzically, as if to ask what he might be doing wrong and how this match had changed. However, his inability to adjust and adapt has plagued him throughout his career, and so too has his passiveness in approaching potentially decisive moments. Both ended up costing him on Wednesday, no comeback was found after he went behind.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev returns the ball against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during a quarterfinal match. (AP photo)

Djokovic had been playing solidly in the opening rounds, and that’s all he had to be against Zverev too, but in terms of a challenge, it still was a step up that needed to be met.

The next hurdle will be the largest in the sport right now. Sinner is by far the world’s best tennis player and is yet to drop a set at Roland Garros. But even for him, Djokovic will be a massive test; as the best, most complete player in the history of the men’s game, the Serb does have the tools to counter him. He has got a strong backhand to contain the crosscourt exchanges, can stick close to the baseline and take the ball early to avoid being blown away by Sinner’s power, is a clever returner, and has variety to boot. But for all the finer analysis, this match may boil down to Djokovic’s baser abilities.

His mental and physical preparedness has passed the test, but can he raise his game technically enough to contend with a player in such fine touch that he has won 44 of his last 46 matches? If not, can he rely on his problem-solving to mentally wear him down? It will be a contest of intrigue as much as it will be one of high stakes.