“So happy to be in the final finally,” Alexander Zverev breaks the Roland Garros semi-final curse after a comeback win over Casper Ruud

Alexander Zverev makes it to his second Grand Slam final.

“So happy to be in the final finally,” Alexander Zverev breaks the Roland Garros semi-final curse after a comeback win over Casper Ruud

Alexander Zverev (via Imago)

German tennis star Alexander Zverev advanced to his first Roland Garros final on Friday after four attempts in the semi-finals previously. The two-time World Tour Finals winner triumphed over Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist, scoring a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win.

Zverev had previously lost in the semi-finals of the French Open in 2021, 2022, and 2023, including a straight-sets defeat to Ruud last year. Determined to change his fate, the 27-year-old fought back after a slow start to overcome the Norwegian under the lights of Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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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. I am so happy to be in the final finally on my fourth semi-final. I am going to give it my all on Sunday.
Alexander Zverev said in the post-match interview

Zverev’s defense was formidable, often forcing Ruud to play one more shot. He also unleashed powerful strokes from both sides to pressure the two-time finalist, who needed medical attention for a stomach issue in the third set.

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Ruud appeared physically strained during the changeovers and between points in the third and fourth sets. With this two-hour and 36-minute victory, Zverev now leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 3-2.

Alexander Zverev’s road to his first Roland Garros final

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev reached the No.4 ranking after his title win at the Italian Open and came into Roland Garros with full confidence. The German is pursuing his first major championship and is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final on Sunday. This will be Zverev’s second major final, his first being at the US Open in 2020, where he was defeated by Dominic Thiem in a five-set match.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev after reaching the Roland Garros final (via Imago)

Achieving his 34th tour-level victory this season, the two-time World Tour Finals champion has become only the second German man to make it to the Roland Garros final in the Open Era, following Michael Stich’s achievement in 1996. At 27 years old, Zverev is on a 12-match winning streak.

In his journey through the French Open, Zverev has faced tough competition, winning consecutive five-set matches against Tallon Griekspoor and Holger Rune. Additionally, he knocked out 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in the opening round.

On the other hand, Casper Ruud was attempting to become the seventh player to reach three consecutive Roland Garros finals. Ranked seventh in the world, the Norwegian has accumulated the most tour-level victories (39) and clay-court wins (21) in 2024.

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