Zverev withdraws from French Open with injury, Nadal advances

Alexander Zverev's French Open run is over. Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Zverev withdraws from French Open semifinal with injury, Rafael Nadal advances

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/3/22

After a thrilling 7-6 (10-8) battle in the first set of a French Open semifinal on Friday morning between No. 5 Rafael Nadal and No. 3 Alexander Zverev, the pair dueled to 6-6 split through 12 games in the second set, and it looked like fans were in for a classic. The potential epic was cut short before the second set could go to another tiebreaker though, as Zverez was forced to retire from competition after suffering an ankle injury during play, allowing Nadal to advance.

Following an injury, Alexander Zverev returned to the court to a standing ovation and a special embrace with Rafael Nadal. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3VPqOAD31x
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 3, 2022

Rafael Nadal will play for a 14th French Open title, as Alexander Zverev was forced to withdraw from the semifinal with an injury. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/7zhNPR3KGP
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 3, 2022

Nadal, who turned 36 on Friday, is now the second-oldest men's finalist in French Open history and will look to become the oldest champion in the tournament's history. Nadal earned his first title at Roland-Garros in 2005 when he was 19 and was the last teenager to reach a French Open final.

Well said, Rafael Nadal.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Alexander Zverev! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Pt9xyo4ql0
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 3, 2022

The southpaw from Spain will take on the winner of the other semifinal between No. 8 Casper Ruud and Marin Cilic in the Grand Slam final on Sunday. Ruud and Cilic began their semifinal match on Friday afternoon.

If Nadal is able to add to his record number of French Open championships, the "King of Clay" will also earn his 22nd Grand Slam title, extending the men's record he already has. Nadal won the Australian Open in January and leads both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer by one, as each of them has won 20 Grand Slams.

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