Alexander Zverev powers past out-of-sorts Casper Ruud to set up Carlos Alcaraz showdown in French Open final
Updated 07/06/2024 at 21:49 GMT+1
Alexander Zverev beat Casper Ruud in four sets to progress to the men's final of the French Open. Ruud dominated the first set, but the German took control of the match as Ruud began to struggle physically. Zverev will face Carlos Alcaraz in the showpiece final on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday after he beat Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller earlier on Friday.
French Open highlights – Zverev books Alcaraz final with Ruud win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alexander Zverev battled back from a set down to beat Casper Ruud and set up a French Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.
The German will bid to win his first Grand Slam title in his maiden Roland-Garros final against the third seed, who beat Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller earlier on Saturday.
Ruud made light work of Zverev in last year’s semi-final, sealing a three-set win with a bagel, and, after winning the first set in 35 minutes, the Norwegian looked like he still had his opponent’s number.
However, the German wrestled control of the match as Ruud began to struggle physically, and rattled off the next three sets in comfortable fashion to progress 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2.
"I am extremely happy. I have so much history on this court and had some of the best memories and worst memories on this court," Zverev said.
"I am so happy to be in the final finally in my fourth semi-final. I am going to give it my all on Sunday."
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‘Fantastic performance’ - Zverev clinches spot in French Open final
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Zverev fell short at the last-four hurdle in Paris in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and suffered a serious ankle injury during his battle with Rafael Nadal two years ago.
But he was in dominant form after a dodgy start against Ruud, claiming victory in two hours and 36 minutes as the Norwegian faded after receiving treatment for a stomach problem in the third set and physically struggling in the final two sets.
"I thought the first two sets were very high level. End of third set I saw he started to move a bit slower," Zverev said.
"That is normally how it is when you are not feeling quite well. But his shots are still the same. So if you look at how he moves and all that and if you start to be a bit more passive, he is going to win the match.
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"Credit to him to play until the end and fight until the end. He is a great champion and a great person."
Ruud made a storming start, breaking Zverev in the German’s opening service game before a rocket of a forehand winner sealed a second hold for a 3-0 lead.
Zverev worked his way back into the contest, but he struggled to trouble the Norwegian and was broken for a second time as Ruud claimed an impressive 6-2 opening set in just 37 minutes.
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'Oh my goodness... Zverev doesn't know what to do' – Ruud dominates first set
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The German dusted himself down and quickly set about returning the favour as he broke Ruud for the first time in the match in the opening game of set two thanks to some aggressive returning.
Ruud was reeling when a backhand down the line sealed the Zverev double break at 4-1 and there was no way back for the world No. 7 as the German powered through his service games to level things up.
After one dominant set apiece, a more cagey contest unfolded in the third, with the only break coming in game five when Zverev earned three break points and took the second with a forehand winner on the run.
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'Players never win these arguments' - Crowd boos as Ruud disputes point with umpire
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Ruud couldn’t battle his way to another break as the fourth seed sealed the third set with an ace to close in on a place in the showpiece match.
His resistance dwindled early in the fourth as Zverev again broke in the opening game when a Ruud backhand was sliced into the net.
A booming backhand winner down the line earned the Rome champion a double break for a 5-2 lead and he served out the match to set up a tantalising meeting with Alcaraz on Sunday.
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Zverev: I wasn't mature enough to win Grand Slam before
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You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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