Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev battle hard to set up tantalising French Open final

PARIS – They struggled, they fought back, and now Spain’s world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev of Germany are all set for a blockbuster clash in the French Open final on June 9.

Alcaraz reached his maiden Roland Garros title-decider with a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Jannik Sinner on June 7, before Zverev also bounced back to beat Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 and make it to his first Paris showdown.

The former was far from his brilliant self early in his contest but took advantage of Australian Open champion Sinner’s hand cramps to draw level, before sealing the see-sawing match after four hours and nine minutes.

Having already won Wimbledon and the US Open, Alcaraz became the youngest man to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces and will look to emulate several compatriots by winning the French Open.

“I have a special feeling for this tournament, because I remember when I finished school I’m running to my home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open,” the 21-year-old said.

“Of course, Rafa Nadal dominated this tournament for 14-15 years. It’s unbelievable. I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament... (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, (Carlos) Moya, (Albert) Costa, legends.

“If I want to be one of the best players in the world, I have to be a good player on every surface, like Roger (Federer) did, Novak (Djokovic), Rafa, (Andy) Murray. The best players have had success on every surface.”

Unlike Alcaraz, Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam. But he holds a career 5-4 winning record against his opponent, including a victory in their only previous Roland Garros meeting in the 2022 quarter-finals.

There are two first-time French Open men’s finalists for the first year since Nadal defeated Mariano Puerta for the first of his 14 titles in 2005.

Zverev would be more than glad to get to this stage. The 27-year-old, competing in his fourth straight semi-final in Paris, finally broke the barrier to become the second German man to reach the Roland Garros title clash in the Open Era and match Michael Stich’s feat from 1996.

He also banished painful memories of a serious ankle injury in the 2022 semi-final against Nadal.

"To go deep and to win a Grand Slam, you have to go through difficulties and you have to go through a lot of ups and downs," said Zverev, who won the match after Ruud was hampered by a stomach issue.

"You're not going to win a Grand Slam by winning every match in straight three sets. Some players do, like Roger, Rafa, but normally you have to go through battles. You have to come back in tough five-set matches.

"I'm happy to be in a Grand Slam final and give myself the best chance to win on Sunday."

This would be his second Major final after losing the 2020 US Open to Dominic Thiem.

“I was not ready then,” said Zverev.

“I’m definitely not a kid any more, I’m a little older. If not now, then when?” REUTERS, AFP