Alexander Zverev breaks Roland Garros semi-final hoodoo with clinical Casper Ruud win

Alexander Zverev is through to a maiden Roland Garros final where he will take on Carlos Alcaraz after sealing a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud. After previously failing in three semi-finals, he is through finally on the fourth attempt.

On a day where Zverev dominated the news for having his abuse trial dropped with a settlement made with his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Patea. He has another reason to shout with a victory over Ruud who had reached the previous two finals in Paris.

Zverev won in just over two hours and a half. Ruud was flawless in the opening set claiming two breaks en route to claiming the lead. But he faltered from there as Zverev got stronger. The German broke to begin the second set to go 1-0 up and produced a clinical hold of serve from there to make it 2-0. He broke again to make it 4-1 and went one away from a set back and this began his revival.

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In the third set, he went 2-1 down, but returned to the front at 4-2 before going onto edge the third set 6-4. He claimed the fourth in more emphatic fashion. He broke to begin set four and it was imperious holds from there with a break before the end of the set at 6-2. Ruud struggled during the tie with a stomach issue in the third set. He was bent over on the baseline between points and in particular during the third and fourth set, he looked on the verge of retirement. Zverev took full advantage though.

"I am extremely happy," Zverev said. "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."

"I thought the first two sets were very high level. End of third set I saw he started to move a bit slower. 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. Credit to him to play until the end and fight until the end. He is a great champion and a great person."

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Zverev books a spot in his first Roland Garros final! 🎟️ #RolandGarros

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