Injury and protest drama hogged Friday evening on court Philippe Chatrier, but at the end of the long evening, 2022 French Open had its two finalists.
13-time champion Rafael Nadal reached his 14th final at the Roland Garros after third-seeded Alexander Zverev was forced to withdraw with a horrifying ankle injury during the second set of the blockbuster semi-final clash. Later that evening, Nadal’s pupil, Casper Ruud channelled his inner Rafa to bounce back from a set down against the very experienced Marin Cilic to reach the final.
Nadal was 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 leading when Zverev rolled his ankle while looking to play the return from the Spaniard. His is piercing screams of pain echoed through Stade Roland Garros as he was helped into a wheelchair and taken off court. Minutes later, he made his way back, in crutches and conceded the match. Ruud, on the other hand, fended off Cilic with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in his semi-final which was interrupted by an environmental protester who ran onto the court and tied herself to the net.