Zverev is doing his best to keep Thiem pushed to the back of the court, but the Austrian latches on to anything short to get back in the rally and draw the error from his rival. Zverev can't believe he has thrown in a double at a crucial moment to gift Thiem a point for two break points at 15-40. Thiem takes advantage of the present, forcing Zverev to play one more point again and this time he slices wildly wide. THIEM BREAKS.

 

 

Thiem is best off trying to keep Zverev pinned well behind the baseline and the tactic works to good effect again as Zverev goes for broke on a couple of rallies with no joy. Thiem holds to love. 

Zverev clenches his fist towards the crowd in response to one well-timed drop shot which moves him comfortably to two game points. Zverev has been decent at the net this match so far but just for a few loose groundstrokes hasn't quite been at Thiem's level.

Thiem strokes a forehand deep into the corner to set himself on the way but then slices into the tramlines needlessly during the next point. The Austrian has served well this first set and some solid first serves set him up for two set points. He looks on course to wrap it up on the first, pinning Zverev behind the baseline before the German mops up a drop shot only for Thiem to send the reply long. An ace sees him over the line. Thiem is looking very good. THIEM WINS FIRST SET.

Zverev's response is to rush the net where possible, trying to shorten the points and make Thiem pass him. A couple of loose replies from Thiem take Zverev to two game points and when Thiem places a first serve into the middle, the Austrian is presented with the chance to serve out the first set.

 

With girlfriend and top women's player Kiki Mladenovic watching from the sidelines, Thiem continues to make Zverev work for every point. Zverev's frustrations come out as he launches into German, berating himself for dropping a return into the tramlines. Thiem serves out another comfortable hold to 15. Zverev will be serving to stay in first set. 

Pressure again on Zverev's serve as Thiem moves to a mini-break at 0-30. Zverev responds in the way he knows how, striking a winner down the line as if to say 'what pressure?' 

A clip of the net from a loose forehand lands wide and hands Thiem two break points, the first of the match. And he only needs one. Thiem loops a lovely backhand back cross court and it lands flush on the line much to Zverev's annoyance. THIEM BREAKS.

Zverev switches defence into attack with a neat backhand on the baseline which has the crowd purring again. For a big man, Zverev is a classy and stylish player who moves well around the court. Thiem follows Wilander's advice during the next rally, making Zverev play one more shot and works his opponent behind the baseline before Zverev strikes long. Thiem makes short work of the next point, striking a loose ball past Zverev who anticipates wrongly on the line. 

Thiem shakes his head in annoyance at one lashed backhand which skims off the dirt behind the baseline to slip 40-0 down. The Austrian is on another poorly disguised drop shot on the next, skipping his way to the net and pushing a forehand cross court. Zverev doesn't allow his rival to get back to deuce and edges back in front in this tight opening set. 

Thiem settled quickly against Kei Nishikori in his last match on Philippe Chatrier on Sunday, he's not quite yet firing when it comes to his first serve and as I type those very words he sends down his first double as Zverev recovers from three game points to 40-30. Thiem sends a forehand deep to the baseline on the next which Zverev gets back but sends long. It remains on serve.

Zverev picks up his first ace of the contest with an outswinging first serve. He goes down the same route on the next but mops up Thiem's reply at the net in serve-volley style more often seen at Wimbledon. It's Thiem's turn to rush the net and put away a drop shot and the camera pans back to Zverev just rubbing his left calm. Is the German still feeling the effects of his lengthy time on court? He returns to his chair with another service game under his belt nonetheless.

Thiem advances to the net for the first time during his first service game and lashes home a backhand cross court to race into a 30-0 lead. 

The crowd break out in applause as Zverev pulls out an early 'hot-dog' shot between the legs, but Thiem is all over the return at the net and the Austrian steers his way to a comfortable hold.

Under gloomy skies, Zverev serves first and allows Thiem of early sight of a mini break by striding a couple of forehands into the middle.

Zverev wins the first lengthy rally of the match, slicing his way and advancing to the net before a deft volley brings the German level at 30-all. A heavy second serve edges the second seed to game point before a first double allows Thiem to hang around. 

A solid first serve backed up by a solid forehand see Zverev over the line in the opening game.

Thiem enters Philippe Chatrier Court first followed by Zverev as the crowd starts to build (albeit very slowly) on the main showcourt in Paris. The conditions are expected to be heavy under foot which might be more favourable for Zverev early on.

Dominic Thiem has been advised to play on Alexander Zverev's extended time on court and make him work hard for every point in their quarter-final clash.

Three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander wants Thiem to try and wear down his 21-year-old opponent - even though Zverev says he has plenty of energy left in his tank.

"I would think that if both players were fresh I would say that Zverev has the upper hand because a best-of-five would suit him, giving him time to figure things out," Wilander said.

"But since Zverev has already had to play three five setters, Thiem has a pretty good chance.

"If Thiem comes and makes the first hour, hour and a half really physical and does not miss too much, then I actually think in this situation, because of the circumstances, this is a good chance for him to beat Zverev.

"Zverev has time to recover physically but at some point you get tired mentally. He can be ready physically and also mentally when he comes onto the court, but again, the scoreboard dictates so much how you feel.

"If I were Thiem I would be going like, 'You know what Sascha, today we're going to go for a run. It's not going to be a sprint but a run and we're going to go uphill for four hours. If you beat me in the end you're better than me, but I'm going to take you the whole way.' If he does that Thiem is the favourite."

Zverev believes his condition will be fine for another long encounter, however. "I'm expecting another five-set match. I'll get myself ready for that," he said.

There are two men's and two women's quarter-finals scheduled to take place today. Here's how the line-up looks - weather permitting.

Philippe Chatrier Court

Dominic Thiem (7) v Alexander Zverev (2), Sloane Stephens (10) v Daria Kasatkina (14)

Suzanne Lenglen Court

Yulia Putinsteva v Madison Keys (13), Marco Cecchinato v Novak Djokovic (20)

At the moment it looks as though there could be light drizzle throughout the afternoon and not clearing until later this evening. Forecasters had predicted rain yesterday and that didn't materialise though.  

The first of the men's quarter-finals kick off proceedings on day 10 of the French Open as Dominic Thiem takes on Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe Chatrier from 13.00 BST.

The weather could play its part in proceedings, however, with rain due to return later this afternoon after a morning of continuous drizzle in the French capital.

That will make conditions slightly heavier under foot than in recent days where warm temperatures have been favourable for the likes of 10-times champion Rafa Nadal and Thiem who thrive on the speedier courts.

The second-seeded Zverev heads into the contest off the back of three five-set matches and has spent 11 hours and 56 minutes on court during his four matches to reach his first ever last eight clash at a grand slam.

Thiem, the seventh seed in Paris, has spent two hours and 27 minutes less time on court and has played 15 sets of tennis to this point compared to Zverev's 18.

Thiem has a 4-2 head-to-head advantage over the 21-year-old Zverev. However, Zverev won their last meeting in last month's Madrid Open final and will be high on confidence going into the match.

The winner of today's contest will take on the victor of this afternoon's second match over on Court Suzanne Lenglen between Novak Djokovic and Italian Marco Cecchinato.