French Open men’s semi-finals: Alcaraz sees off Sinner, Zverev beats Ruud – as it happened

So Zverev and Alcaraz will both be playing in their first French Open final on Sunday. Any pointers? Well, Zverev leads Alcaraz 5-4 in their head-to-head and 2-1 in grand slams – though Alcaraz has won two of their three matches on clay. It’s nicely poised – though Alcaraz will be the favourite after his statement semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner – and he’s shown that he can produce on the biggest stage having won two slams already. Plus I think Alcaraz just has that bit extra. What is certain is that we will have a new French Open champion – and for the first time since a certain muscly Spanish teenager rocked up at Roland Garros in 2005 the final will not feature Nadal, Federer or Djokovic. Thanks for reading – do join us on Sunday and for the women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini tomorrow. Bye!

Zverev says:

Some of my worst memories have happened on this court. I’m so happy to be in the final. I’m going to give it my all on Sunday.

I knew I had to be much more aggressive [after the first set]. I thought the first two sets were very high level, then I saw he was struggling. Credit to him to play until the end and fight until the end. He’s a great champion and person and definitely he’s going to be back.

I was two sets to love and a break up and two points away from winning [the US Open final in 2020]. But I was not ready to win my first grand slam final. I was too much of a kid. I’m 27 years old now, definitely not a kid any more. If not now, then when? I’m in my first Roland Garros final and hopefully I can win my first grand slam.

Ace No 18 right in the corner and it’s 30-15. Zverev is two points away. Make that one, because there’s his 53rd winner. And Zverev seals it with another ace! Zverev, after semi-final heartbreak the past three years, is through to his first Roland Garros final where he will face Carlos Alcaraz! Ruud, ever the gentleman, does not want to shake hands with Zverev through fear of giving Zverev whatever bug he has. He walks off to warm applause as Zverev steps up to speak …

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Zverev breaks: Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 2-5 Zverev*

What a shot from Zverev for 30-all as he manages to direct his return around the net post and into the court for a winner! He’s roaring and Ruud is applauding. And here’s a break point for Zverev, which is as good as a match point. The pair rally … before Zverev settles matters with a backhand winner down the line! He’s a game away from his first French Open final! Much credit to Zverev for how he’s played; it’s never easy staying focused when facing an ailing opponent but Zverev has been ruthless since losing the first set.

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 2-4 Zverev

Zverev gets out his tennis textbook at 15-all before producing the perfect one-two punch. He picks Ruud off at the net on the next point with a forehand pass. 40-15. Kamikaze that from Ruud, rushing to the net, but he doesn’t want any long points now. Game.

Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 2-3 Zverev*

After three consecutive defeats in French Open semi-finals, including last year against Ruud, Zverev is closing in on the finish line here, and a final against Carlos Alcaraz. 30-all on Ruud’s serve … Zverev is pushing and probing … but Ruud shows great character to win the next two points and hold. He’s almost certainly just delaying the inevitable, though.

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 1-3 Zverev

A rattled Ruud, no doubt frustrated that he’s been cut down by illness, complains to the umpire at the changeover about a line call. Then it’s Zverev’s turn to have a moan; he tells the umpire that the spidercam is distracting him when he serves. “Every time I throw the ball up,” the German says. The umpire is busy in this game as she’s then out of her chair checking a line call at 30-15. Ruud’s shot is confirmed in, so it’s 30-all. A glimmer for the Norwegian. But Zverev slams down a 16th ace. And then Zverev somehow not only gets a racket to Ruud’s rocket of a return but is able to produce a squash shot forehand cross-court winner!

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Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 1-2 Zverev*

Despite Ruud’s physical limitations tonight, he manages to leap into the air on the second point to put away a forehand winner. That will have felt good, as long as it didn’t upset his stomach any more than it already is. 30-0, 40-0. Zverev reduces his arrears to 40-15 but gets no further because Ruud, keen to get the point and game finished as quickly as possible, rips a backhand winner down the line!

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 0-2 Zverev

You know the drill: 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game and hold. Zverev is showing no mercy.

Zverev breaks: Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 0-1 Zverev*

Ruud has left the court as the sun sets in Paris – and possibly on his French Open hopes too. Zverev is ready to play; he doesn’t want any shift in momentum. Ruud trudges back on to court and will serve first in this fourth set; at least that’s an advantage for him. But not if Zverev breaks, which the German is threatening to do at 15-30. Ruud didn’t even attempt to run to Zverev’s winner on that third point. 15-40, two break points. And Zverev takes the second when Ruud has to stretch to a backhand, which he slices into the net!

So Zverev serving for a two sets to one lead … and the way Ruud is feeling, it’s difficult to see how he could come back from that. Zverev flashes his 12th and 13th aces of the match for 30-0. 30-15 … and then he balances out the aces with two double faults! An inopportune moment. 30-40, break point. Zverev’s first serve is back firing on the break point, and Ruud rattles his return into the net. Deuce. Advantage Zverev. Set Zverev! He’s closing in on his first French Open final!

Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 4-5 Zverev*

An ailing Ruud is trying the shorten the points, and comes up with a winning serve-volley combo to bring up game point at 40-15. Credit to him, he holds from there. But once again he’s slumped over on his chair between games.

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 3-5 Zverev

The crowd, painfully aware of Ruud’s discomfort, are rather subdued as Zverev’s serving supremacy continues. Yet another love hold for Zverev and Ruud must hold serve if he’s to extend this third set by more than one more game.

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Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 3-4 Zverev*

Much was said before this match about what kind of condition Zverev would be in after his two five-setters since Saturday, one of which didn’t finish until 1.40am – not as late as Djokovic’s 3.07am ordeal but still far later than any human should be playing tennis. But it’s Ruud who’s suffering physically here. Having said that, he does show spirit to hold to 15. His head, however, is slumped at the changeover, and he is breathing heavily.

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 2-4 Zverev

Zverev is painting the lines on serve. 15-0. 30-0. And then 40-15. The break is backed up with a dismissive forehand at the net. Ruud appeared to be in discomfort stretching to a few shots there.

A defeated Sinnner has been speaking in his post-match press conference:

Zverev breaks: Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 2-3 Zverev*

Ruud’s radar is off here, and the subdued-looking Norwegian drops 0-30 down. His body language between points isn’t good. He appears to be suffering. He’ll hope those tablets take effect soon, but it could be too late to save the set given the way Zverev is serving, because here are three break points at 0-40. Ruud shows resolve to fend off the first with a driving forehand; but he’s unable to save the second as Zverev pulls off a looping cross-court forehand winner!

Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 2-2 Zverev

Ruud has taken some tablets but not a timeout, so they’re back under way already. Let’s hope this doesn’t have a big impact on the match, as Sabalenka’s stomach issues did in her quarter-final defeat by Mirra Andreeva. But Ruud appears uncomfortable, and here’s another quicker-than-quick hold from Zverev, who’s taken 24 out of 27 points on serve since being broken at the end of the first set.

Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 2-1 Zverev*

The problem for Ruud is that Zverev is holding with such ease that he has so much energy and focus left to take on Ruud’s serve. Zverev wins the first point on Ruud’s serve for 0-15, he should really make it 0-30 but blinks. And Ruud gratefully turns what could have been 0-30 into 40-15. But Zverev isn’t going away here, and is piling on the pressure at deuce. Ruud goes for broke down the line and misses! Advantage Zverev, break point. Ruud’s first serve is so long is nearly hits the baseline. His second is good … Zverev is aggressive on the return but overhits. Deuce. Advantage Ruud, despite Zverev’s best defensive efforts. Game Ruud. And the doctor is on his way because Ruud appears to have stomach problems.

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Ruud* 6-2, 2-6, 1-1 Zverev

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Move on, nothing to see here. Zverev’s serve – one of the best in the game – is firing on all cylinders now. He’s lost only three points on serve since the start of the second set.

Ruud 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 Zverev*

The daylight has given way to the floodlights as Ruud steps up to serve at the start of the third set. They’re all square, so we’ve got a best-of-three-set match from here on in. At one set all and 15-all, Ruud decides he’d quite like to be ahead in the contest again, and advances to 30-15 and then 40-15. The next point in incroyable – they’re both giving it everything they’ve got… forehands, backhands, drop shots, volleys, lobs, tweeners, you name it, they’re doing it … but Zverev’s tweener goes into the net!

Ruud, a model of consistency in the first set, is making more errors now. He’s edged ahead of Zverev in the unforced error count, 15 to 12. And he’s also behind in the winner tally, 20 to 19. Zverev moves to 40-15 with little fuss, and takes the set when Ruud shanks the return long! Zverev, as he has done twice already in this tournament, recovers from losing the first set to level the match!

Ruud 6-2, 2-5 Zverev*

Ruud puts away the overhead for 15-0. But a miscued drop shot – he’s not made too many errors with that shot so far – and it’s 15-all. Ruud hits back behind Zverev with a forehand winner for 30-15. 40-15. Game, when Ruud’s serve has too much bite on it for Zverev to get it back into court. Ruud holds – but Zverev will serve for the set …

Ruud* 6-2, 1-5 Zverev

Zverev is bounce, bounce, bouncing the ball in the style of Djokovic before serving. The defending champion may have departed this tournament but at least it feels as if a bit of him is still here. It doesn’t pay off for Zverev, who concedes the point for 15-30. Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce and it’s 30-all. Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, ace, 40-30. Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, game.

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Zverev breaks: Ruud 6-2, 1-4 Zverev*

Zverev – already a very tall man – is standing even taller after taking the first point in style. 0-15. Which becomes 15-30. Ruud unleashes with his forehand – but it flies into the tramlines. 15-40, two points for the double break. Zverev can’t profit on the first; but he does on the second and is fist pumping his way to his chair! It’s been some response from him after losing the first set.

Ruud* 6-2, 1-3 Zverev

Huge cheers on the third point as the pair engage in a little tete-a-tete at the net. 40-0. Game. No messing about from Zverev there – who can now put the pressure straight back on Ruud’s serve …

Ruud 6-2, 1-2 Zverev*

A high-quality rally on the opening point. Zverev appears to be in the ascendancy but Ruud expertly turns defence into attack. 15-0. 30-15, as Ruud delivers another drop shot. That shot is working so well for him this evening. Ruud rams a forehand down the line for 40-15, and the luck appears to be on his side when his backhand hits the tape and flies over wickedly, but Zverev is able to react and put away the winner! 40-30 – which turns into deuce.

Ruud relies on another drop shot to move to advantage – but Zverev, who now has his eye in, unleashes a backhand winner down the line. Zverev’s now only two behind in the winner count: 11 to 13. Zverev is able to get down so well for a man who’s 6’6” to dig out the volley for his advantage, break point. And here’s another volley – an absolute gimme for the German – to seize the break but he hits wildly wide! Deuce. Ruud shows Zverev how it’s done at the net on the next two points to escape with the hold!

Ruud* 6-2, 0-2 Zverev

40-0 Zverev. He’s won seven of the first nine points in this set. Ah, the sudden changes in momentum in tennis. Make that eight of the first 10. A love hold for the German.

Zverev breaks: Ruud 6-2, 0-1 Zverev*

This is bringing back memories of the pair’s French Open semi-final last year, when Ruud dominated Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. But Ruud’s level dips at the start of the second set, as he slips to 0-30 on serve. Zverev has a chance to make it 0-40 but makes the error. 15-30. Zverev glances up to his dad in the stands, who’s also his coach. And here are two break points for Zverev! Just as he had the chance to break in Ruud’s first service game in the opening set. Ruud runs to the net to dismiss the danger on the first break point; but Zverev hits a biting return on the second and Ruud is unable to recover! “LET’S GO!” screams Zverev.

Zverev steps up to serve with the new balls, with the stands now nearly full. Not the start he would want as he slides 0-15 down. And it gets worse for the fourth seed when his forehand on the run flops into the net – set up by Ruud’s aggressive inside-out forehand on the return. 0-30. 15-30. An absorbing rally plays out – one of the longest so far, 20 shots – Ruud is hitting so well from the back of the court, and then he finishes it off with a cute drop shot, which a bewildered Zverev doesn’t even run to. 15-40, two set points. Zverev biffs his backhand long and Ruud takes the opening set in some style!

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Ruud 5-2 Zverev*

Ruud, though, is also serving smoothly. He’s 70% on first serves so far, and then shows fine hands to draw Zverev forward. The German scrambles and dumps into the net. 30-15. 40-15, with a backhand bullet down the line. Game. We’re 29 minutes in and Ruud is a game away from the first set.

Ruud* 4-2 Zverev

15-0. 30-0. 40-0, when Zverev zips forward to the drop shot and pulls off an impressive angled volley. Jeu Zverev, his most comfortable hold of the match. He’s only lost one point on serve since being broken, and that was a double fault.

Ruud 4-1 Zverev*

A word on the doubles, as Ruud moves to 30-15 on serve: Coco Gauff wasn’t able to win her singles semi-final yesterday to set up a final against Jasmine Paolini – but the pair will face each other in the women’s doubles final after both won their semis today. Gauff is playing with Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, while Paolini is partnering with her fellow Italian Sara Errani.

From 30-15 Ruud advances to 40-30; the pair engage in a backhand duel on the next point and Zverev surrenders first. Another hold for the seventh seed.

Ruud* 3-1 Zverev

Ruud has perhaps gone under the radar a bit this fortnight, given he is aiming to reach his third consecutive final at Roland Garros. He’s also had a profitable clay-court season, winning in Barcelona and Geneva, as well as finishing runner-up at the Monte Carlo Masters. Zverev, meanwhile, won the Rome Masters last month. Zverev wins his first points on serve for 30-15, and makes that 40-15 with his first ace of the proceedings. He’s not far off making it two aces, but his effort down the T is just out. Second serve … the pair are going left and right and left and right and Ruud mades the error. Zverev is on the board.

Ruud 3-0 Zverev*

Ruud has sprinted out of the blocks here just as Sinner did in the first semi-final. But we know how that ended; there certainly won’t be any panic from Zverev yet. But it is clear that Ruud is working these points very well, mixing it up, with his clay-court craft. At 30-15 on serve, Ruud forces Zverev into a defensive forehand after some superb sliced backhands from the Norwegian, and Zverev nets. 40-15. Game, when Ruud absolutely rifles a forehand down the line! This has been very accomplished from Ruud so far.

Ruud breaks: Ruud* 2-0 Zverev

It’s a beautiful evening in Paris, probably the warmest of the tournament so far, but the court is now almost completely in the shade apart from a few spots of sunlight. Ruud dispatches his first drop shot of the contest for 0-15. And Zverev throws in his first double fault of the match for 0-30. Zverev’s backhand then skids long and it’s 0-40, three break points. Zverev’s backhand clips the tape, goes over … but Ruud reacts to get it back and Zverev goes wide!

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Ruud 1-0 Zverev*

Premier jeu, Monsieur Ruud to serve first. Ruud will be the fresher of the two after his walkover in the quarter-finals because of Djokovic’s withdrawal with his knee knack – while Zverev has been on court for nearly 17 hours in five matches – two of which went to five sets. But there’s a danger for Ruud that he may have lost some rhythm, because he’s not played since Monday.

Ruud misfires on the first point, but finds better range on the second. 15-all. 15-30 – Ruud is yet to land a first serve. He does on the fourth point – and Zverev goes on to net. 30-all. 30-40, break point, when Ruud’s backhand loops long – that is a vulnerable shot for the Norwegian. Zverev is in a good position on the break point but then totally mis-hits and it’s deuce. Advantage Ruud. Game Ruud.

Here’s what the players have had to say about this match:

Zverev

I’m in another semi-final here, which I’m very pleased about. Of course I want to win one. I want to be in the finals. That’s my main focus. [Ruud is a] great player. Two finals in a row, third semi-final in a row, that speaks for itself. He’s one of the best players on this surface, for sure. I think I have to play my best tennis to have a chance.

Ruud

The goal is not necessarily to play three perfect sets every time and win [in] straight sets, but sometimes you just have to think: ‘OK, I won’t play perfect, but I’m going to be a tough player to beat in best of five sets on clay.’ That’s the kind of mentality that has been working for me.

I know if the opponents want to beat me, they’re going to have to play really good tennis for at least three full sets, and I’m going to try to make it tough for them. Physically I’m going to try to be in good shape and make them suffer if I can. With my technical game I’m going to try to play heavy and play the kind of clay-court tennis that I like playing. It’s been working well the last two, three years here.

The players have arrived on Chatrier – but most of the new spectators haven’t. The top tier is reasonably full, but the lower stands are still quite empty.

It was announced today that Zverev’s public trial in Berlin – which started last week – has been discontinued after he reached a settlement with his former girlfriend over domestic abuse allegations. Zverev, who has always denied the claims, had not appeared in court while he competed at the French Open – and he will now be free to focus on his tennis going into Wimbledon and then the Olympics. The case has cast a shadow over his wins during this tournament, and Zverev’s team were perhaps keen to resolve this before he possibly becomes a grand slam champion on Sunday.

So, what of Zverev v Ruud? Well, after Alcaraz’s victory in the battle between the leaders of the new generation – this match that can described as the battle of the nearly men. Both are still looking for their first grand slam title; both have lost in major finals previously.

Zverev was denied in the 2020 US Open final by Dominic Thiem, despite having led by two sets to love, and has also been beaten in six slam semi-finals – including at Roland Garros for the past three years.

It was Ruud who defeated Zverev in Paris last year – but the Norwegian was put in his place by Novak Djokovic in the final, having also suffered a straight-sets defeat to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final. He also came off second best in the 2022 US Open final against Alcaraz.

But while Zverev has long been considered a grand slam champion in waiting, Ruud is seen as someone who’s exceeded expectations and made the absolute most of his ability – a talent maximiser, you could say. Perhaps that means there’s a little more pressure on Zverev’s tall shoulders this evening – let’s see if he treats that as a privilege or a burden.

I certainly think it’ll be closer than last year, when Ruud demolished Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. Zverev is playing better now and possesses the bigger shots – except for that fallible forehand. Ruud has consistency, agility and an ability to dig deep on his side; he’s such a tough competitor over five sets at Roland Garros. Yet Zverev has shown in his two five-set wins this tournament that he’s happy to go the distance. Fancy another four-hour showdown after Alcaraz v Sinner? Sure you do!

We’re expecting Zverev and Ruud to step on to court in about 10/15 minutes. It’s separate tickets for each semi-final – so the fans who watched Alcaraz v Sinner have been kicked out of Chatrier – though they can’t be too disappointed after watching that. The new spectators are starting to filter in.