After losing three semi-finals, Alexander Zverev reached his first final at Roland Garros on the fourth attempt, beating Casper Ruud in four sets with a score of 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 in 2 hours and 36 minutes of play. Who knows how the match would have gone if the Norwegian hadn’t suffered intestinal problems, which probably limited his performance. The world number four, free from any legal proceedings in his homeland (he reached an agreement with his ex for domestic violence accusations), reaches the Carlos Alcaraz final, the rematch of the quarter-final of the Australian Open 2024, where a Sasha prevailed. For Zverev it is the second slam final in his career, at 27 years old, after the bloody loss in New York in 2020 against Dominic Thiem, when he was leading by two sets to zero.
the match
—
The Norwegian started off strong, ready to go and immediately break and a first set dominated far and wide. There was the feeling that Zverev could once again be betrayed by nerves, by pressure, which has played tricks on him many times in his career. Then, thanks to the pain of the young Casper, the German took over: immediately a break in the second, closed without too many problems, and Ruud complained of intestinal problems which certainly weakened him. In the third set the balance lasted until 2-2, with a new break by Zverev further breaking the resistance of the Scandinavian, who at 5-4 and serve for the German had a chance to counter-break, but the it failed. The fourth set was also academic, with Sasha immediately breaking Ruud’s serve and then making a second, decisive break, at 4-2 in his favor. It wasn’t a good match and Zverev arrives in the final relatively fresh, after having spent a lot in the previous rounds, in the five sets against Griekspoor, where he came this close to defeat, and against Rune.
Don’t miss Roland Garros on Eurosport channels live streaming on NOW. Activate the Sports Pass from €14.99 per month and enjoy Sky Sports in streaming!
the final
—
Now for the German the very tough obstacle of Alcaraz, but it could be a less obvious final than one thinks, with the precedents (and it is no coincidence) that say 5-4 in favor of Sasha: the winner of Rome was given as the probable favorite on the eve, given the physical problems of the other top players, and so far he is living up to expectations. Something he has hardly achieved in his career. He has the game to put the Spaniard in difficulty (he always has) and the fact of not having to win at all costs could free him mentally. Will Zverev, at 27 years old, finally realize his potential?
