With win over Zverev, Djokovic now two wins away from 'Novak Slam II'

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic posted his 12th victory in 13 matches against Top 5 opponents on Thursday, easing past Alexander Zverev, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of the French Open. The Serbian is now two wins away from becoming the first man in the Open Era to twice hold all four major trophies simultaneously, and he increased his unbeaten run in Grand Slam events to 26 matches.

Djokovic is seeking his 16th Grand Slam title and second in Paris, having triumphed over Andy Murray in the 2016 championship. He is through to his ninth semifinal at Roland Garros and is bidding to contest his 25th career major final. Djokovic has not lost a set in his five matches played this tournament and is looking to capture his 75th overall title.

"I think the longer I play or the further I go in my career, the sense of history-making is only getting stronger. That's one of the greatest motivations I have," said Djokovic. "There is no better way to make history [in] the sport than to win Slams and play your best in the biggest events, and obviously try to stay No. 1 as long as you can. Those are, results-wise, the pinnacle achievements that you can have in our sport."

The 32-year-old will face Dominic Thiem in Friday’s last four after the Austrian dismissed Karen Khachanov, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. In five previous clay-court clashes, Djokovic leads Thiem 3-2, which included a semifinal win in his Madrid title run last month. They’ve split two meetings at Roland Garros, with Djokovic winning their 2016 semifinal and Thiem exacting revenge in the 2017 quarterfinals.

In the early goings against Zverev, Djokovic was the one being pressed. The German started by positioning himself closer to the baseline than in his previous Paris matches and was effective in forcing Djokovic to play lengthier rallies when serving. Zverev ended Djokovic’s streak of 36 consecutive holds to put the set on his racquet. Two points from losing it, Djokovic changed the pace by putting more spin on his groundstrokes and cutting low slices.

The top seed would break to level at 5-5, and took over from there by directing more shots towards the sidelines to put Zverev on the defensive. The fifth seed double faulted to concede the opening set and would experience déjà vu in the next set. Djokovic played his brand of tennis, deflating Zverev with his signature defense and flexibility.

"I could have broken him I think earlier in the first set. Had a lot of breakpoints," Zverev said. "I really thought that the first set should have gone my way. And then I played three really bad games from there on. Once he's in control, he's very tough to beat. He's World No. 1 for a reason."

Djokovic saved two break points at 4-2 in the third and would go on to advance in two hours and eight minutes. He improved to 3-2 against the 22-year-old, who had defeated Djokovic to win the 2018 ATP Finals. Zverev saw his eight-match win-streak ended and hopes of reaching a first major semifinal dashed.