18:26
Everything is done
In the end, the first semi-final went faster than expected. Novak Djokovic buys the final ticket for the seventh time. Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud decide who meets the Serb. The game will probably start around 6:50 p.m.
18:08
Start is further delayed
Carlos Alcaraz seems to have gotten his cramps under control and can now at least finish the game. He is currently even holding up solidly, so that the start for Zverev and Ruud will certainly be further delayed. The game is not expected to start before 7 p.m.
17:50
Difficult preparation!
The first semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic is still running on the chatrier. As the Spaniard is currently struggling with physical problems, the game could come to an abrupt end. But if Alcaraz can catch himself, it would take a while. For Zverev and Ruud, this certainly makes the preparation and timing of the warm-up more complicated.
17:48
Ruud wants to go to the final again!
For Casper Ruud, the tournament tree already held a difficult task in the quarter-finals. Ruud not only had the upper hand against youngster Holger Rune, who was seeded number six, he also dominated the game for long stretches at will. Even if the Norwegian had to give up a set, he made the other three sets impressively confidently. Ruud will be ready to make life difficult for Zverev and, like last year, to move into the final.
17:36
Zverev is “back”
“A year later I’m back,” wrote Alexander Zverev on social networks after reaching the semifinals. And he’s right, because we’ve seen the best Alexander Zverev in almost exactly 12 months. At that time, the Hamburger, also in the semifinals of the French Open, tore several ligaments in his ankle in a duel against Rafael Nadal and was then out for half a year. Since then, the German has been struggling to find his form, which he was only able to regain at Roland Garros. With great performances and a bit of luck (no opponent in the top ten yet), the 26-year-old made it into the semi-finals – and wants to take the next step there.
16:55
Good day!
Hello and welcome to the French Open 2023. Two exciting tournament weeks in the west of Paris are coming to an end. We are looking for the two men’s finalists this Friday. Alexander Zverev from Hamburg and Casper Ruud from Norway will be fighting for second place in the final at 5:30 p.m. at the earliest.