Rafael Nadal has become the second-oldest player to reach the final in French Open history after Friday's semi-finalist Alexander Zverev was suspended with a right leg injury. Now Nadal will try to become the ultimate champion of the tournament he has already won a record 13 times.
Playing on his 36th birthday in an event he won for the first time as a 19-year-old, Nadal seemed to announce as soon as possible, tying in the first set an hour and a half 7-6 (8). The second set also headed for a tie-breaker another hour and a half later when Zverev fell behind the baseline while chasing the ball with a forehand.
Zverev's black uniform was covered in rust-colored mud, as were his legs and arms, and he immediately grabbed his right ankle as he screamed in pain.
A coach approached him and Nadal moved the net to control Zverev as well.
Then Zverev was wheeled out of the stadium. After a few minutes he was back on crutches and said he had to withdraw from the match. The referee shook the chair and then hugged Nadal.
"Well, it was very difficult and very sad for him," Nadal said. “He played a great track. He really is a good guy on the Tour. I know how tough he is to win a grand slam, and now he's not so lucky. He will win more grand slams, and I wish him all the best.” "
"It's one of Zverev's biggest challenges when he plays like this. He's at a very high level. It's hard to say things in this situation. For me, being in the Roland Garros final is a dream, but at the same time finishing it and seeing the tears is a difficult time." ". So I wish you good luck."
Nadal had chronic pain in his left foot and had been battling wins over a 4-hour period, including against defending champion Novak Djokovic on Tuesday, but showed no signs of age, injury or fatigue against 25-year-old Zverev. ..
The match was held inside the Philippe Chatrier Stadium, with the retractable roof closed in 2020 due to rain.
In addition to trying to win his 14th French Open title, Nadal can claim his 22nd Grand Slam title to add to the men's record he already holds after winning the Australian Open in January.
Djokovic and Roger Federer tied at 20.
It will be the first time the Spaniard has won his opening two Grand Slam matches this year on Nadal's streak in Sunday's final against eighth seed Kasper Ruud of Norway or Croatian 20th seed Marin Cilic.
Cilic won the 2014 US Open; Rudd did not make it to a major final.
Zverev used his massive power throughout the match to lead 3-1 after 19 minutes largely because he racked up seven wins before Nadal scored one.
Before the match was halted, Zverev had twice as many winners as Nadal 40-21.
When Zverev hit a shot on the eighth of the match, it was, and Nadal not only hit it, but also hit it with a backhand on goal. A few points later, Zverev offered Nadal a break point for a double fault.
Things were only going to get worse from there for Zverev in this game. His racket flew out of his hand and was left behind after a wild swing accidentally sent a ball through the chair referee until it landed 10 feet off the court. Later, a sloppy backhand saw Nadal break for the first time, turning him into a full four and raising the red and yellow Spanish flags in the stands.
In the first half, Zverev started brilliantly, leading 6-2 and winning four set points.
But then Nadal did what he normally does with many opponents: stay there.
Nadal saved Zverev's fourth point with an impromptu shot. When it came Nadal's turn to press for the set, he finally sealed it with a consecutive forehand, then took the follow-up stance for a moment while watching the stands.
Bill Tilden, the oldest men's final, came in second in 1930 at the age of 37. And Andres Jimeno was the oldest champion to date, aged 34 in 1972.
Nadal has said in recent days that he cannot be sure that every match will be his last at Roland Garros. His left foot is the main reason for this pessimism.
"All the sacrifices, all the things I have to do to try to keep playing, it really makes sense that you enjoy moments like me in this tournament," Nadal said.
Information from ESPN's Tom Hamilton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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