PARIS: Rafael Nadal advanced to the French Open final for a 14th time on Friday after third seed Alexander Zverev was forced to retire hurt with an ankle injury while trailing the Spaniard 7-6(8) 6-6.
In an absorbing contest that lastest more than three hours before the abrupt ending, Zverev missed four set points during the first set tiebreak.
The German had been giving the 13-time Roland Garros champion a run for his money until he screamed out in agony after rolling his right ankle in the final point of the 12th game of the second set.
In an absorbing contest that lastest more than three hours before the abrupt ending, Zverev missed four set points during the first set tiebreak.
The German had been giving the 13-time Roland Garros champion a run for his money until he screamed out in agony after rolling his right ankle in the final point of the 12th game of the second set.
Nadal, who turned 36 on Friday and is in pursuit of a men’s record-extending 22nd Grand Slam crown, will face either Croatia’s Marin Cilic or Norway’s Casper Ruud on Sunday.