Aiming to reach a third consecutive Roland Garros final, Casper Ruud of Norway will face Alexander Zverev of Germany in the French Open semi-finals on Friday.
Head-to-head: Tied at 2-2 (Ruud leads 1-0 on clay). The Norwegian dominated their French Open encounter last year, delivering a decisive victory, including a third-set bagel. However, Sascha Zverev was in a different phase of his career then, still working on his comeback and struggling with form, fitness, and confidence.
The 27-year-old German recently defeated world No. 11 Alex de Minaur of Australia in straight sets, marking his best win in terms of opponent ranking at this year's French Open. However, despite the convincing score, it was probably his worst performance of the tournament. Zverev's play was far from solid and error-ridden, but fortunately for him, the Australian was equally off his game. This allowed Zverev to secure a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.
Since returning from a long-term injury last year, former world No. 2 Alexander Zverev has endured several frustrating setbacks, with close losses and missed opportunities for major titles. However, recent weeks have seen a significant turnaround. Zverev clinched the Rome Masters title last month, though he did not face any top-tier opponents. His French Open campaign thus far has been marked by consistent wins, despite not delivering any extraordinary performances and narrowly escaping defeat twice.
In past Grand Slam campaigns, luck has often eluded Zverev. He hopes this newfound change in fortune will help him secure the elusive title he has been chasing. Notably, he had a chance to serve for the title against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final and led Daniil Medvedev by two sets to love in the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year, but faltered on both occasions.
So far, Zverev's performance in Paris has been steady, but the real challenges are just beginning. To keep his winning streak alive, he must rely more on his performance than on luck. Despite his ability to win big titles and a strong record against the "Big Three" players, he struggles against top-10 players in Grand Slams, holding a dismal 3-15 record in such matches.
Moreover, Zverev has lost six of his last seven Grand Slam semifinal matches, all against top-10 players. The only exception was his comeback win over then-world No. 27 Pablo Carreno Busta at the 2020 US Open. His last three French Open campaigns in 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as his most recent Slam campaign at the 2024 Australian Open, all ended in the semifinals.
This time, though, Zverev aims to break the pattern and finally claim his long-awaited Grand Slam title.
The anticipated quarterfinal clash against 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic would have provided a solid benchmark for Casper Ruud's progress in recent months. However, the match did not materialize as the defending champion was forced to withdraw. Ruud welcomed this outcome, as he has played a demanding schedule in 2024, including winning the title in Geneva just days before the French Open. Avoiding a match with a fierce competitor like Djokovic and gaining an extra day of rest will be beneficial for him at this crucial stage.
As Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev prepare to face off in this highly anticipated semifinal, both players have much to prove. Ruud aims to continue his consistent performances and seize the opportunity to reach the final, while Zverev looks to overcome his semifinal woes and break through for his first Grand Slam title. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both players bringing their best to the court in a bid for a spot in the final.
While Ruud certainly deserves a chance to advance and contend for the French Open title, especially in the absence of the Big Three, his opportunity may hinge on whether Zverev can perform to his full potential. The German possesses a greater capability to win matches on the big stage when he's at his best.
