Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev Prediction, Tips and Bet Builder

Alexander Zverev is expected to reach his second French Open singles final by beating Jakub Mensik, but the task may prove to be far from straightforward.

Zverev, 29, has been in fine form on the Paris clay and should make life difficult for his younger opponent, but Mensik looks a physical match for the experienced second seed and it would not be a surprise if he took the game to the German, particularly in the first set or two.

And, of course, Zverev is under the added pressure of trying to final land a first Grand Slam title that has proved to be elusive so far in his career.

Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev Tips Summary

Best Bet - Jakub Mensik to win two sets @ 11/8
Alternative Bet - Jakub Mensik to win match @ 3/1
Bet Builder - Jakub Mensik to win two sets; Jakub Mensik +5.5 games handicap; Jakub Mensik over 2.5 service breaks @ 2/1

Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev Prediction

Best Bet: Jakub Mensik to win two sets @ 11/8

On the book, Mensik has something to find in the wake of his 6-4 6-7 6-3 loss to Zverev in the Madrid Masters in late April - the pair's first clash - but it may pay punters not to expect a similar result in their second encounter.

Zverev has done little wrong in his bid to claim a first Grand Slam singles title this coming Sunday but Mensik, a player blessed with huge potential, could throw a spanner in the German's works on Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday.

Mensik, 20, appears to have saved his best clay-court tennis for the French Open.

The Czech, already one of strongest players in the sport physically, has been dictating the pace in most of his matches, even after losing the first set of his third-round victory over Alex de Minaur 6-0.

And, while Zverev has done likewise in all of his matches to date on the Paris clay this year, the 29-year-old could come under pressure in the first set or two against an opponent who looks booked for major success in his career, quite possibly in the near future.

Punters can consider backing Mensik to upset Zverev in straight sets, but they should be more than happy to have the opportunity to back the outsider at odds-against to win two sets.

Mensik won one of three sets in Madrid, so taking into account how his game has stepped up in recent weeks, winning two of the first four sets to be contested in their follow-up clash may not require that much effort on the Czech's part.

Alternative Bet: Jakub Mensik to win match @ 3/1

With Mensik possessing immense potential to succeed in his chosen sport - don't forget, he upended Jannik Sinner in the Doha quarter-finals in February - the younger man is a big price to surprise the second-seeded Zverev in their French Open semi-final clash.

But while a price of 3/1 is big enough, it also shows the respect the oddsmakers have for Mensik's chances of ousting Zverev.

It wasn't so long ago that clay was considered to be a surface that favoured younger players against old.

In recent times, more experienced performers have done their best to quash that notion on Paris' red courts, but Mensik is so good that the chance to oppose Zverev is difficult to pass up.

Jakub Mensik v Alexander Zverev Bet Builder Tip

• Jakub Mensik to win two sets

• Jakub Mensik +5.5 games handicap

• Jakub Mensik over 2.5 service breaks
  

  Pays 2/1

The first part of the Bet Builder has been explained in detail above, but backing Mensik to make full use of a handicap start of 5.5 games should also be decent value.

Mensik seldom rushes his matches - the poker-faced Czech is a hugely methodical performer - but punters can include the outsider to have three or more service breaks to complete the Builder.

Mensik converted five of his 21 break-point chances in his straight-sets quarter-final victory over Novak Djokovic's conqueror, Joao Fonseca.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Alexander Zverev has dropped only one set in five matches on his way to this year's semi-finals

• Zverev has won the first set in all five of his matches, while Mensik has won the first set in four of his five outings

• Zverev and Mensik played each other for the first time just over a month ago at the Madrid Masters, where Zverev prevailed 6-4 6-7 6-3

• Both players have never won a Grand Slam singles title, but Zverev has contested three major singles finals

• Mensik beat Novak Djokovic to win the Miami Masters, formerly known as the fifth major, two years ago

Read more tennis betting tips and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.