Alexander Zverev ensured his pursuit of an elusive Grand Slam title remained on track with a comprehensive victory over highly-rated teenager Rafael Jodar to reach the French Open semi-finals.
Second seed Zverev is the highest-ranked man left in the singles draw after a series of shock exits in Paris.
The German has long been tipped for Grand Slam glory but has struggled in the pressure moments, suffering defeat in three finals and seven semi-finals.
He came up short against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 French Open final, despite leading by two sets to one, and has fallen four times in the Paris last four alone.
Tuesday’s meeting with 19-year-old Jodar was billed as a potentially tricky tie, with the Spaniard tipped to be a future star.
But Zverev, 10 years Jodar’s senior, used all his experience to come through 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 6-3.
“I want to keep going and win the matches ahead of me – that is my goal and my aim,” Zverev said.
“Today was a very good test against a very good player.
“I am happy to be in the semi-final but for now, that is it.”
Favourites Finland winning a place in the finalCredit: APThe UK is represented by Look Mum No Computer, who will perform his song Eins, Zwei, Drei with a guaranteed Grand Final slotCredit: PA
What happened in the first Eurovision semi-final?
A total of 15 countries competed for 10 Grand Final spots on Tuesday night.
Pre-qualified Italy and Germany were slotted in after the sixth and 10th songs respectively.
Both nations were performing and voting, but not competing for a place in the final.
After all acts had performed, it was down to Eurovision fans to vote for who they want to see in Saturday’s final.
Just ten countries were picked and they were:
Moldova – Satoshi, Viva, Moldova!
Sweden – Felicia, My System
Croatia – Lelek, Andromeda
Greece – Akylas, Ferto
Finland – Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, Liekinheitin
Israel – Noam Bettan, Michelle
Belgium – Essyla, Dancing on the Ice
Lithuania – Lion Ceccah, Sólo quiero más
Poland – Alicja, Pray
Serbia – Lavina, Kraj mene
Viewers in the UK were not able to vote during the first semi-final, but things are going to change tonight.
Greece also made it through to Saturday night’s finalCredit: AFPBoy George performed with San Marino’s Senhit, but sadly they didn’t make it thoughCredit: AFP
What is the Eurovision semi-final 2 running order?
The second Eurovision semi-final follows at 8pm on Thursday, May 14, live on BBC One and iPlayer.
Another 15 countries will battle it out for the remaining 10 places.
Pre-qualified France, Austria and the UK will slot in after the fifth, eighth and 12th songs respectively.
These countries are performing and voting, but not competing for a place in the final.
The order for the second semi is as follows:
Bulgaria – Dara, Bangaranga
Azerbaijan – JIVA, Just Go
Romania – Alexandra Căpitănescu, Choke Me
Luxembourg – Eva Marija, Mother Nature
Czechia – Daniel Žižka, Crossroads
France (non-competing) – Monroe, Regarde !
Armenia – Simón, Paloma Rumba
Switzerland – Veronica Fusaro, Alice
Cyprus – Antigoni, Jalla
Austria (non-competing) – Cosmó, Tanzschein
Latvia – Atvara, Ēnā
Denmark – Søren Torpegaard Lund, Før vi går hjem
Australia – Delta Goodrem, Eclipse
Ukraine – Leléka, Ridnym
United Kingdom (non-competing) – Look Mum No Computer, Eins, Zwei, Drei
Albania – Alis, Nân
Malta – Aidan, Bella
Norway – Jonas Lovv, Ya Ya Ya
This is the show where UK fans can pick up the phone and vote.
When is the Eurovision Grand Final?
The Eurovision 2026 Grand Final takes place on Saturday, May 16, with the show getting underway at 8pm on BBC One, iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
A whopping 25 acts will perform – the top 10 countries from each semi-final, alongside hosts Austria and the Big Four of Germany, France, Italy and the UK.
The full Grand Final running order won’t be locked in until after the second semi-final.
A draw will decide if each of the qualifying nations is slotted into the first or second half of the show.
Another draw has already determined that Austria are the closing act, meaning the host country is set to be the 25th and final performance of the night.
Graham Norton is back behind the mic for the BBC’s live coverage, with former Drag Race winner Tia Kofi heading up the broadcaster’s backstage and digital coverage.
Atletico Madrid’s trip to Arsenal in the league phase feels a long time ago, but it will stick in their mind not just for the four goals they shipped, but for their struggles in attack.
Atletico produced only 0.32 xG from open play in that defeat and managed only one shot on target, so, if they are to take anything against Arsenal this time around, getting Julian Alvarez in the game will be key.
The Argentina forward has scored nine goals in the competition this season, more than any Atletico player had managed in a Champions League campaign.
He’s also a menace defending from the front, with a mammoth 853 high-intensity pressures – more than anyone else this season. That’s 70 per game on average.
That work ethic, ruthlessness in front of goal and the wizardry to bend a free-kick into the top corner, as Barcelona found out, make the 26-year-old vital to Atletico’s chances of progressing.
Champions League analysts Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onouha and Julien Laurens look at why the semi-finals between PSG & Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid & Arsenal are both really hard to call who will win.
