The semi-final jinx is finally broken. - Tennis player Zverev reaches the French Open final for the first time.
Alexander Zverev triumphantly hoisted his racket above his head, beaming with satisfaction. The German tennis sensation managed to break free from his semifinal jinx at the French Open and advance to his very first championship match. On Friday night, he bested Norwegian Casper Ruud with a hard-fought victory of 2:6, 6:2, 6:4, 6:2. One more win holds the key to his long-awaited inaugural Grand Slam victory.
Come Sunday, Zverev will tackle Spanish opponent Carlos Alcaraz (21) in the decisive match, who also reached the Roland Garros final for the first time, besting Jannik Sinner (22) with a close encounter of 2:6, 6:3, 3:6, 6:4, 6:3. Zverev claimed the match's final point after 2 hours and 35 minutes of intense play. Prior to the semifinal, the charges of bodily harm against him in Germany had finished with no verdict.
Zverev achieved his second Grand Slam final appearance; in 2020, he came heartbreakingly close to securing the US Open title against Dominic Thiem of Austria. At the French Open, he now becomes the second German player in 28 years to reach the Coupe des Mousquetaires' championship.
Zverev reasserts dominance in the second set
Despite a subpar performance by Ruud in the initial set, the Norwegian player initially appeared more collected and focused than Zverev. At one point, Zverev relinquished his serve game without resistance. Ruud's disruptive game left Zverev searching for an answer.
Nonetheless, Zverev rediscovered his form and rhythm in the second set, empowering his strokes while sharpening his serve accuracy. Ruud felt the pressure mount as he made mistake after mistake. The seventh-ranked Zverev seemed physically spent, visibly weary during ball changes.
Zverev's homefront brought him promising news prior to the opening serve: The charges against him had been dropped, with no conviction. The Berlin District Court Tiergarten dismissed the prosecution and a fine of 200,000 euros. Despite the fine payment, no guilt was admitted. Zverev's innocence remains intact.
Alcaraz etches name in tennis history
Alcaraz carved his name into tennis history, besting world number one future player Jannik Sinner in an exceptional duel, becoming the youngest player in the professional era to reach Grand Slam finals across all three surfaces: clay, grass, and hardcourt. At his prior Grand Slam final showdowns at the US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023, both ended in triumph.
"This match was one of the most trying contests I've ever played," Alcaraz acknowledged, sharing how he found joy in enduring discomfort. "I believe joy in suffering is the key, particularly on clay here at Roland Garros."
Paolini to vie for two titles
In the women's tournament, world number one Iga Swiatek and the unexpected Italian champion Jasmine Paolini will clash in the Saturday finale. Paolini also has the chance to capture a double win in Paris, as she made it to the doubles finals with Sara Errani following a 1:6, 6:4, 6:1 victory over Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse. They will encounter Coco Gauff from the United States and Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic in the final match.
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Zverev's opponent in the French Open final on Sunday is Carlos Alcaraz, who also reached his first Grand Slam final after defeating Jannik Sinner in the semifinal. Casper Ruud, who had a subpar performance in the first set, struggled against Zverev's rediscovered form and accuracy in the second set. Zverev's victory over Ruud secured his spot in his second Grand Slam final, following his 2020 US Open appearance. Alexander Zverev became the second German player in 28 years to reach the French Open final after charges against him in Germany were dropped with no conviction.
