PremiumFrench Open 2024: Alexander Zverev breaks Roland Garros jinx; makes it to first final
Alexander Zverev had lost 3 consecutive French Open semi-finals earlier, including to his 2024 opponent Casper Ruud. He now meets Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final on June 9
Alexander Zverev has made it to his first French Open final, beating Casper Ruud
Last Updated: 10.48 AM, Jun 08, 2024
Alexander Zverev has played in the French Open since 2015 with results varying between early round exits to quarter-final defeats until 2020. Then, in 2021 he made it to the semi-final, but lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 5-set match. In 2022, he was back on centre court, facing clay court GOAT Rafael Nadal, but had to retire hurt in the second set, after injuring his ankle. A year later, he was back on the red clay, but lost to Casper Ruud in straight sets.
So, when the 27-year-old walked on to Court Philippe Chatrier for a fourth consecutive French Open semi-final, and yet again against Ruud, despite his current great form and that he’d only recently won on clay at the Italian Open, the latter was considered to have an edge over Zverev. In fact, when the first set went to Ruud (6-2), it seemed that Zverev was out of sorts and giving up already.
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But then, the German took charge, even risking a repeat ankle injury while sliding close to the net to return a Ruud drop shot in the second set. Ruud had Zverev scampering all across court to return his shots and this was the day that the latter was ready to do that and more.
Zverev was at his attacking best, and then went on to take the next two sets, 6-2 6-4. In the third, leading at 5-2, and serving for the match, Zverev’s made good on his first match point with a booming ace, denying Ruud a third shot at the title and breaking his own French Open ‘jinx’. In his first Roland Garros final, Zverev will face Carlos Alcaraz.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz had a nail-biting semi-final finish against Jannik Sinner, prevailing in five sets for his first French Open final appearance.