Rafael Nadal has qualified for his 14th Roland Garros final, although not in the way he would have liked. The Spaniard made it to the showpiece match in Paris as a result of his semi-final opponent Alexander Zverev having to withdraw because of injury.
The score was 7-6(8) 6-6 to Nadal at the time, with the German suffering his injury on the first point of the second set tie break.
The first set had also gone to a tie break, with Nadal winning that duel and with that set lasting an hour and a half.
The whole game lasted over three hours, even though Zverev‘s sprained ankle, suffered when sliding on the clay, meant they couldn’t even complete the second set.
“It was a super tough match,” Nadal said after the withdrawal was confirmed.
“He’s one of the biggest challenges on the tour today, when he’s playing at this super high level.
“Of course, for me to be in the final of Roland Garros one more time is a dream without a doubt, but at the same time, for it to finish that way…
“To see him crying is a very tough moment. All the best to him.”
The final will take place on Sunday afternoon, as Nadal will face the winner of Casper Ruud vs Marin Cilic.
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