French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic picks winner as Emma Raducanu under threat
Express Sport brings you the very latest from Roland Garros.
We're into the business end of the French Open, where the pressure ramps up to a whole new level and champions are forged. There will be a new name on the women's trophy this year with Mirra Andreeva set to battle Maja Chwalinska in tomorrow's final. If the latter wins, she will become the first qualifier since Emma Raducanu to win a Grand Slam in the Open era.
The men's semi-finals will take place today, with Alexander Zverev facing Jakub Mensik and Matteo Arnaldi going up against Flavio Cobolli. Zverev is the overwhelming favourite based on pre-tournament rankings, but Mensik will provide a stern test and has already shown that he can win against top players by beating Novak Djokovic's conquerer Joao Fonseca.
The other semi-final will be an intriguing battle between two young Italians aiming to follow in Jannik Sinner's footsteps by bringing a Grand Slam title back to their country.
Follow our LIVE updates below...
Rafael Jodar on learning curve
Rafael Jodar feels he still has plenty to learn at Tour level after his run to the French Open quarter-finals.
"I had no idea — nobody told me — that I had to shake hands with a ball kid when I walked onto the court for the match against Pablo [Carreno]," said the teenage Spaniard.
"These are all new things that you learn. They're experiences that, after two or three years on tour, you probably understand much better.
"Everything is new for me. I've only been on tour for five months, so there are going to be rookie mistakes and things that come from being an innocent 19-year-old in his first year on the circuit."
Jannik Sinner called out by Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi has taken aim at Jannik Sinner's preparations for the French Open in a brutal assessment of his second-round exit.
"Sinner going out was huge," Agassi told TNT Sports. "I don’t know if you’ve called him out on that enough, by the way.
"To go from him playing five-and-a-half hours last year in the final, to having the heat tap him out in one hour and 45...
"There’s a difference between being fit and being prepared, and I have to point to a flaw in that kind of preparation, because there’s something you can do about that.
"They’re so scientific these days about their prep, about their recovery. I’m sure he has a staff of doctors and people.
"He needs to figure out what to change. He may need to bring somebody in. It’s got to be some form of a hydration issue."
Agassi added: "I’d question his intake and if he’s doing it properly.
"I know nothing about his preparation. I know that he can play for five-and-a-half hours. He’s proven it.
"I know he’s the best player on the planet right now, but I also know there’s no excuse for him to run into a wall at an hour and 45."
Emma Raducanu's record under threat
As things stand, Emma Raducanu is the only player to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier in the Open era.
She made history by winning the US Open back in 2021, but that record is now under serious threat.
That's because it will be matched by Maja Chwalinska if she beats Mirra Andreeva in tomorrow's final.
Chwalinska was outside the top 100 heading into the French Open but is now ranked 21st thanks to her incredible run.
Novak Djokovic backing Jakub Mensik
Novak Djokovic is already out of the French Open but it's pretty clear who he's backing to take the trophy home.
He appears to be in Jakub Mensik's corner, having given him some words of encouragement before facing Alexander Zverev.
"Yeah he did, after [the] Rublev match and after [the] Fonseca match," said Mensik when asked if Djokovic had been in touch.
"Yeah, I mean, Novak is a great guy, great champion. We have a great relationship together.
"’m happy that he’s following the results and that we could stay connected at least in this way."
Good morning
Hello and welcome to Express Sport's coverage of the latest news from the French Open.
It's time for the men's semi-finals, with Alexander Zverev up first against Jakub Mensik.
The all-Italian showdown between Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli will take place this evening.
We'll be on hand to bring you the very latest from Roland Garros throughout the day, so make sure to stay tuned...
