Jim Courier pinpoints the 'devastating' shot Novak Djokovic kept hitting which Alexander Zverev could not deal with

Novak Djokovic took one big step towards a 25th Grand Slam title with his win over Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.

The Serbian star hadn’t dropped a set in his opening four matches at the tournament, breezing past Mackenzie McDonald, Corentin Moutet, Filip Misolic, and Cameron Norrie on his way to the quarterfinals.

There, he was met with Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who had finished as runner-up in Paris one year earlier, and like Djokovic, was yet to drop a set at the 2025 French Open.

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With someone’s perfect record set to go up in flames, it was Djokovic who blinked first, falling behind 4-6 against the world number three.

Not prepared to go out without a fight, the 38-year-old battled back, securing another legendary win under the lights, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

After the match, an American ATP legend highlighted the one shot Djokovic used to ‘devastating’ effect against Zverev.

Jim Courier says Novak Djokovic’s serve was ‘devastating’ for Alexander Zverev

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, former world number one Jim Courier gave his verdict on Djokovic’s quarterfinal win.

“It is phenomenal watching him being able to pick apart someone as consistent as [Alexander] Zverev is from the baseline with the drop shot,” he said.

“It’s not like Zverev does not know it’s going to come at some point, but because Novak [Djokovic] has such penetration with his backhand depth, it pins him back a bit and makes him vulnerable, so Novak waits for the right time and the moment he gets the opportunity there goes the drop shot.

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“It’s a passing shot, it’s a lob, and it’s mostly successful.

“Then the wide serve in the deuce court was so, so devastating, and Sascha could not quite figure out how to get the forehand short and crosscourt when Novak was serve and volleying.

“In the last game, multiple times, Novak had the easy backhand volley to the open court, and he made it.”

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Djokovic held his own against one of the best servers on tour, outperforming him in several key metrics.

Player Aces Double faults 1st Serve % Win % on 1st Serve Win % on 2nd Serve Service points won Novak Djokovic 6 0 71% 76% 56% 84 Alexander Zverve 4 1 70% 76% 37% 66 Serving stats from Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev

The story of the match however, was of course the drop shot, which Djokovic used to great effect.

He’ll certainly hope his serve and drop shot will hold up when he faces off against world number one Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record

Next up for Djokovic is Italy’s Sinner, who has barely broken a sweat in Paris so far, proving why he’s the number one-ranked player in the men’s game.

Sinner’s win over Alexander Bublik in the quarterfinals was one of his best yet, dominating the history-making Kazakh in straight sets 6-1, 7-5, 6-0.

Securing the win, Sinner set up a ninth career meeting with the 24-time Major champion.

Match Winner Loser Score 2024 Shanghai Masters – F Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 7-6, 6-3 2024 Australian Open – SF Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 2023 Davis Cup – SF Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 2023 ATP Finals – F Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 2023 ATP Finals – RR Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 2023 Wimbledon – SF Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 2022 Wimbledon – QF Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters – 2R Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-2 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record

The pair have played one another twice before in Grand Slam semi-finals, at Wimbledon in 2023, and at last year’s Australian Open.

They have, however, played just one of their eight matches on clay, at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters.

It was Djokovic who emerged victorious four years ago in the principality, making light work of the young Italian 6-4, 6-2.

Only time will tell who will take a 5-4 lead in their head-to-head when they play for a second time on the clay, but it will most certainly be worth tuning in for.

Djokovic and Sinner will face off for a place in the French Open final on Friday, June 6.

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