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Casper Ruud will meet 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open today after a pulsating day of semi-final action in the men’s singles competition.
Nadal pitted his wits against Alexander Zverev and found himself 7-6 [10-8] 6-6 up in the contest before the number three seed had to retire after a devastating ankle injury.
Zverev dominated the opening exchanges with Nadal after breaking in the opening game, but the Spaniard broke back for 4-4 before squandering three set points on the German’s serve.
Nadal saved two break points to move into a 6-5 lead before Zverev forced a tie-break, and the 13-time Roland Garros winner remarkably managed to save four set points – receiving a standing ovation from the crowd under the roof.
The Spaniard’s seemingly impossible forehand returns propelled him to a first-set win, and neither man was able to hold serve in the second set before Zverev did so to edge 3-2 in front.
The 25-year-old’s pinpoint forehand into the corner saw him break to move into a 4-2 lead, but it was deja vu for Zverev as a double fault saw Nadal break back for 4-3.
