'The serve has gone'published at 18:46 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-5 Alcaraz*
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentator
World number three, an Olympic medallist, a cabinet full of trophies - but the serve has gone.
Summary
Rafael Nadal beats defending champion Novak Djokovic in marathon quarter-final
Spanish star wins 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) after thrilling match lasting over four hours
13-time French Open champion clinches victory at 1:16am local time
Earlier Alexander Zverev overcame Carlos Alcaraz to reach semi-finals
American Coco Gauff and Italian Martina Trevisan through to women's last four
'The serve has gone'published at 18:46 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Alcaraz breakspublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-5 Alcaraz*
The crowd rise to their feet. Alcaraz drives a backhand out of Zverev's reach to break back!
Image source, Getty ImagesBreak points Alcarazpublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 Alcaraz
It's there for Alcaraz. It's right there! Zverev is isolated at the net but the Spaniard blasts a forehand wide.
Two break points remain.
Break points Alcarazpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 Alcaraz
Unbelievable. Alcaraz catches the line with a forehand.
Three break points!
Postpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 Alcaraz
A miss from Zverev. And another!
A chance for Alcaraz.
Image source, Getty Images'Malfunction from Alcaraz'published at 18:42 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 Alcaraz
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentatorIt felt like it was all trending in one direction but this feels like a bit of a malfunction from Alcaraz.
That game was miles away from the level we've seen from him in the set.
Zverev breakspublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 Alcaraz
WOW. Can you believe it. A double fault at the worst possible time for Carlos Alcaraz. After all his good work getting himself back into this too.
Alexander Zverev is one game away from the French Open semi-finals!
Postpublished at 18:40 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland GarrosIf this battle goes to a fifth set, the second men's quarter-final of the day - between Monsieur Djokovic and Monsieur Nadal - will have to wait.
That is supposed to be starting in little over an hour.
The fans with a golden ticket in their hands - or on their mobile phone, these days - are already entering Roland Garros and wandering around the swelled grounds in the lovely Parisian evening sun.
Break points Zverevpublished at 18:40 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 4-4 Alcaraz*
Zverev can't punish Alcaraz at the net and the Spaniard makes no mistakes with his next shot.
But the alarm bells start ringing as a miss hands Zverev two break points.
'Crowd control required'published at 18:39 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 4-4 Alcaraz*
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentatorA little bit of crowd control needed here - they're getting a bit excited. They can feel a fifth set coming.
Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 4-4 Alcaraz*
Zverev anticipates a drop shot and gets his reward, sliding in to land a backhand at the net.
And now there's trouble for Alcaraz. Zverev makes another backhand for 0-30...
Zverev holdspublished at 18:37 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 4-4 Alcaraz*
Zverev looks comfortable in this game as a forehand winner helps him to 40-15, but he goes long from the baseline.
A big point calls for a big serve. Delivered. On we go!
Postpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-4 Alcaraz
Alexander Zverev's level is holding steady in the face of this Carlos Alcaraz fightback, but any blip here could be very costly indeed.
'The Spanish flags are back out'published at 18:33 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
* Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-4 Alcaraz
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraThis is more of what I was expecting. If Alcaraz can sustain his level - I don't see how Zverev can beat him from the baseline.
The Spanish flags are back out!
Alcaraz holdspublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-4 Alcaraz
Alcaraz, with a new found resilience on serve, moves to game point as Zverev curls a forehand wide.
Superb! The Spaniard is ready at the net to send a winner deep into the court.
Postpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-3 Alcaraz*
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraYou can see Zverev is getting hesitant on the short balls and defence but Alcaraz isn't afraid to get up inside the baseline and approach the net.
Can you imagine having that speed - being able to track down every ball your opponent hits!
Zverev holdspublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-3 Alcaraz*
Boom. Alcaraz lunges to whip a backhand into the corner for 30-30.
Zverev steadies himself, and a fizzing first serve does the job.
Postpublished at 18:27 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-3 Alcaraz
Two hours and 40 minutes in. You'd be brave to call the outcome of this one.
Zverev attempts to reassert himself, volleying in mid-air for 30-0, but Alcaraz delights the crowd as he nonchalantly lobs the third seed.
Postpublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
* Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-3 Alcaraz
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentatorIt's a worrying sign for Zverev that Alcaraz is just getting better and better.
Nothing really to separate them at the moment and there could be another couple of hours to go.
Alcaraz holdspublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-3 Alcaraz
Alcaraz leaps up into another devastating forehand. A hold to 15. He's going to take some stopping now.
Image source, Getty Images