Casper Ruud will meet 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open 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.
Zverev was soon hit with a court violation for obscene language despite his protests and then failed to serve for the set, but things took a turn for the unexpected when the German slipped and seemingly rolled his ankle.
Get well soon, Alexander 🧡#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Is3k7dHiUo
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
Zverev was screaming in pain on the clay and had to be taken off in a wheelchair before returning to the court on crutches, which signalled his retirement from the match as Nadal advanced to the final.
The 21-time major winner admitted that he was "very sad" for Zverev after the thrilling contest ended early, but he is confident that the German will add some Grand Slam titles to his CV when he recovers.
"Very tough and very sad for him [Zverev]. He was playing an unbelievable tournament. He's a very good colleague on the tour, I know how much he is fighting to win a Grand Slam," Nadal said during his on-court interview.
"For the moment, he was very unlucky. The only thing I am sure is that he is not going to win just one but more than one. I wish him all the best and a very fast recovery.
"It had been a super tough match, over three hours, and we didn't finish the second set. It's one of the biggest challenges on the tour today when he's playing at this super high level. It is difficult to say a lot of things in this situation.
"Being in the final of Roland Garros one more time is a dream, no doubt, but at the same time, to finish that way... I have been there in the small room with Sascha before we came back out. To see him crying, it is a very tough moment. All the best to him and all the team."
Nadal prepares for battle with Ruud following another remarkable day for the Scandinavian starlet, who got the better of Marin Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 in a four-set battle on Friday evening.
© Reuters
Cilic saved two break points in the opening exchanges before winning four games on the bounce to take the first set, with Ruud failing to serve to stay in the opener after a 15th winner from the Croat.
Ruud was presented with three break points in the third game of the second set following some Cilic errors - the former world number three saved one before going long with a forehand.
The history-making Norwegian - the first from his country to ever appear in a Grand Slam semi-final - then came up with a sublime backhand to level proceedings at 1-1 and ensure a fourth set would be on the cards.
Ruud broke Cilic at the third attempt in the first game of the third set before play was disrupted by a protester running onto the court and tying themselves to the net before being removed by security.
Play resumed as Cilic managed to avoid a bagel but was comprehensively beaten in the third set, and an immediate break for Ruud would hand the 23-year-old the initiative in the final set.
Ruud comfortably took the first of three match points with an ace to book his spot in his first-ever Grand Slam final and set up a showdown with Nadal, with the two doing battle on Sunday after Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff face off in the women's contest tomorrow.
Ben Knapton
