It’s a second consecutive trip to the semifinals of the French Open for both Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev, who will battle it out on Friday afternoon to decide who advances to the championship match.
Prior to the 2023 tournament, neither Casper Ruud nor Alexander Zverev topped anyone’s list as most likely to get through to the second Friday at Roland Garros. Pre-tournament form suggested that Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner or Holger Rune would advance.
Except semifinal day approaches, and it’s Ruud and Zverev making another appearance in the semis.
Ruud, the world No. 4, has been off form most of the season. He snagged the title in Estoril, but the top-ranked player in his path was world No. 33 Sebastian Baez. He then came up short in all of his French Open warm-up events except the Rome Masters (where he made the semis). But that’s all in the past. Ruud came into Paris and got better round by round, right up through giving Denmark’s Rune a lesson in the quarterfinals.
Even more surprising than Ruud’s success this week is that of Zverev. One year ago, in a highly competitive semifinal match against eventual champion Rafael Nadal, he shredded his ankle and was forced to withdraw from the match. Surgery ended the German’s season, and he has slowly been clawing his way back to form. Zverev’s draw has been favorable, but the world No. 27 has still been impressive in overcoming bouts of poor serving and he upended No. 12 seed Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
Zverev holds a scant 2-1 record over Ruud, but the Norwegian won their last match–and more importantly they haven’t played on clay.
Both men have big-match experience. Ruud made both the French Open and U.S. Open finals last year, and Zverev was a 2020 U.S. Open finalist. Both men also have good clay-court games, but it’s where Ruud shines. The Norwegian also has the confidence of beating Rune, with whom he had a verbal scuffle following last year’s quarterfinal between the two men.
Cheryl pick: Ruud in 4
Ricky pick: Ruud in 5
WWW?
Zverev is taller. The high ball won’t work.
Zverev has a wider wing span.
Zverev has a bigger serve
Etcheverry was a tougher opponent than a tired Rune.
Ruud beating Rune is irrelevant now.
Ruud might be the more authentic clay courter but Zverev’s advantages more than evens things out.
Zverev in 5, maybe 4
Ruud cannot hurt Zverev he will not be intimidated by him like tiafoe Ruud forehand is good but Zverev backhand can handle it only forehand to forehand Ruud is winning. Zverev is intimidated if you serve well or returning deep. Zverev to win 3-0
Lol
Rudd in 4. Zverev had a cakewalk draw to get here, and I still don’t think he’s at his best level since coming back.
Rudd all the way!!! Vamos!!
Hoping for a great match!!
Clearly, the best players are in the semis!! But I would be ecstatic if Rudd wins it all!!
Ruud timed his peak just right and was rewarded another GS SF. This won’t be easy for either man. So I pick five sets, with Ruud winning.
Rune was a weak formline. Even Rune admitted he pushed CEO crap for the first 2 sets because he was suffering from fatigue.
Ruud will be flat like he has lead in his feet!
Sorry
Even Rune admitted he played crap for the first 2 sets because he was suffering from fatigue.
Zv still on a roll….in 4.
Zverev is in good form and is better in each round, but i just love Rudd’s composure on court……always businesslike! Im happy at least he’s in the semis and he is playing under the radar, but i suspect he will bring his best in this match and set himself up for a showdown in the final! That’s the most anyone can do. However, if Zverev wins the finals will still be a great match up regardless of who wins the other semi.
Vamos Rudd!!!
He will not, he is a headcase!!!
He is always in two minds.
Should i shouldn’t i, should i, shouldn’t i.
If he plays safe he’s in trouble, if he overplays, he’s in trouble also.
Zverev will be Everywhere!!!
C’mon Ruud!
C’mon Ruud stop making so many unforced errors!!!
Another one you will get it wrong about Zverev…
Yeah, Rudd started well then the UFEs started creeping in sigh!!!
Looks like Rafa may have given Rudd some tips!!! 😝
Ah, Rudd is really riding high!! Hope he keeps it up! Very happy indeedy!!!!
Vamos Rudd!!
Now I have someone to root for after Rafa retires!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😃😃😃😃
Kind of two dud semis in the end (and nothing approaching a classic this whole tournament on the men’s side). But congrats to Ruud. Great achievement to make back-to-back finals.
Yeah, Ruby, c what ure saying but it’s what you get when Rafa is not there!! 😝