Alexander Zverev, hours after domestic abuse trial reaches end, gets past ill Casper Ruud to make maiden French Open final
Alexander Zverev booked his spot in the final of the 2024 French Open on Friday, getting past Casper Ruud in four sets in the semifinals. This is the first time the German has reached the final at Roland Garros, bettering the semifinal results he produced in Paris the last two years.
Casper Ruud started the opening set on the strong foot, breaking the German early for a 2-0 lead. In an almost flawless display, the Norwegian, looking very fresh after the walkover he got in the quarterfinals against Novak Djokovic, took the set 6-2 with a second break of serve.
From there on, however, Zverev found his rhythm, just as the Norwegian got down with a stomach illness. With his opponent not fully fit, the German capitalized on the stroke of fortune, taking the second set 6-2. The story was the same in the third set as well, as Zverev wrapped it up 6-4 to move within a set of the final.
The fourth set began with the World No. 4 breaking early once more for a 2-0 lead. After that, it was only a matter of consolidation for Alexander Zverev, as he served the match out solidly to grab the set 6-2 and book his spot in the final on Sunday.
The victory over Casper Ruud was not the only good news Zverev received on Friday night. A few hours before the semifinal, he reached an out-of-court settlement with ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea in the domestic abuse trial that was going on in Berlin over the last week.
Regardless of the trial, Zverev had maintained that he was not distracted during the last fortnight at the French Open. After the victory over Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, in fact, the former World No. 2 had asserted that the trial was going in the right direction and that he was confident of getting an innocent verdict.
"I think it's important to continue living without any further blame," Judge Barbara Lüders said about the settlement speaking to DW. "That is what has been agreed here. It's a good ending, it's a success."
It should be noted, however, that the settlement does not necessarily mean that Zverev is guilty or innocent in the matter in the eye of the court.
Alexander Zverev to take on Carlos Alcaraz in French Open final
Following his win over Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final on Sunday. The Spaniard defeated Jannik Sinner in a five-set marathon in the semifinals.
The head-to-head between Zverev and Alcaraz is currently 4-5 in the German's favor. While Zverev will be trying to win his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Alcaraz will be hoping to complete the Surface Slam (winning Majors on all three surfaces) with his third Major trophy.