Ruud advances to second straight final, Zverev misses out

2023-06-09 21:18:27

From our special correspondent Porte d’Auteuil – Casper Ruud beat Alexander Zverev on Friday in the Roland-Garros semi-final (6-3, 6-4, 6-0). Facing the 22nd in the world, the Norwegian easily qualified for his second final in a row at Porte d’Auteuil. He will face Novak Djokovic, earlier winner of Carlos Alcaraz.

Published on : 09/06/2023 – 21:18

“Victory belongs to the most stubborn”, says the maxim of Roland-Garros displayed above the Philippe-Chatrier court. It also belongs to the most consistent, as proven by the semi-final between Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev. The Norwegian did not force Thursday, June 9, contenting himself with taking advantage of the German’s multiple faults to reach the final (6-3, 6-4, 6-0), where he will find Novak Djokovic.

From the start, Alexandre Zverev had started his third consecutive semi-final at Porte d’Auteuil badly. From the start, he concedes a white game on Casper Ruud’s service, then a break.

Zverev adrift

Logically, the Norwegian, 4^e world, quickly wins the first round by taking advantage of the many faults of “Sasha”, in delicacy on her first balls. His forehands from the baseline hurt the German, despite a late revolt (6-3).

Alexandre Zverev seems to return to the ocher with better intentions in the second set. He is even close to making the break, but scuttles three break points (3-3).

Opposite, Casper Ruud is extremely solid in defense returning ball after ball and pushing Zverev to the fault. The second round also falls to him.

In the third set, the Norwegian made the entry break, taking advantage of yet another gross fault from Zverev. Then a second. The German is adrift. Head down, without ideas, without stubbornness, he has already accepted his defeat.

A year after having had to face Rafael Nadal in the Roland-Garros final, Casper Ruud will face another legend. He is the last to be able to oppose a 23^e Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam record.