Novak Djokovic moved one step closer to his record 25th Grand Slam title after reaching the semi-finals of Roland Garros, overcoming Alexander Zverev in a dramatic quarter-final clash.

The 38-year-old Serb prevailed over the third seed 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that kept the spectators at Court Philippe Chatrier in suspense for more than three and a quarter hours during the evening session.

The sixth-ranked Djokovic will face world No. 1 Yannick Siner in the semifinals after the Italian earlier in the day left unseeded Alexander Bublik no chance and beat him in three sets.

“Matches like this are the reason I keep playing - I love this rivalry,” Djokovic said after the match.

On Centre Court, Zverev, last year's finalist, got off to a blistering start with a break in the first game of the match. It was that break that proved decisive for the set as the German did not allow Djokovic to get another opportunity to get the break back and closed out the set coolly.

It was the first set the former world No. 1 lost at this year's Roland Garros. But the 24-time Slam champion did not falter.

The second set started with even play, but at 1-2, Zverev sent a backhand into the out at 30-40, giving Djokovic a chance to break. In the next game, the two went into only the second deuce of the match, showing increasing urgency on the return.

Djokovic managed to clinch the break with an ace, ending a nearly nine-minute game. From then on, the set proceeded like a mirror of the first - this time with Zverev in the catch-up role, but unable to threaten his opponent's serve.

The set was closed on the third set point, when the three-time Roland Garros champion executed a flawless backhand after a spectacular rally, dotted with alternating short shots and elusive ricochets off the net.

In the third set, the Serb sniffed a break chance in the fifth game. He reached break point with another elegant short ball before Zverev sent a forehand into the touchline.

For the first time in the match, someone took the initiative - and it was Djokovic. He doubled his lead when Zverev's volley fell behind the baseline with the Serb already in position in the service area.

This unexpected turn in Djokovic's favour clearly unnerved the 28-year-old German, who began the next game with a wayward attempt at a short ball that hit the net, and Djokovic took the lead.

Keeping his level high, the Serb opened the fourth set with another break against the powerful serving Hamburg man.

The stands at Philippe Chatrier erupted when Djokovic reflected a break point in the sixth game with a phenomenal diagonal forehand shot - at the end of a game Zverev looked certain to win in three.

Zverev looked already beaten when he missed a crucial opportunity to return a forehand break into the net.

Djokovic went on to victory without hesitation, reaching his 101st Roland Garros. After realising the match point on only his fifth attempt, he raised his arms to celebrate the triumph.

The loss in the quarter-finals - a tournament stage the German has consistently reached since 2021 - brought an end to his disappointing season on red courts. The three-time Slam finalist crashed out early in both Monte Carlo and Madrid, and was stopped in the quarter-finals in Rome. | BGNES, AFP