'I'm 27 now, definitely not a kid anymore': Alexander Zverev beats Casper Ruud to set up French Open final with Carlos Alcaraz

NEW DELHI: Alexander Zverev overcame a shaky start to defeat a struggling Casper Ruud in four sets, securing his place in the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz. This victory marks Zverev's first appearance in a Roland Garros final and presents him with another opportunity to claim his maiden Grand Slam title.
Despite dropping the first set 2-6 after a series of unforced errors, the fourth-seeded Zverev regained his composure in the second set, levelling the match with a 6-2 scoreline.He carried this momentum into the third set, capitalizing on a visibly hampered Ruud, who appeared to be battling a stomach ailment. Zverev secured a crucial break in the fifth game and went on to win the set 6-4.
The fourth set saw Zverev maintain his dominance, breaking Ruud's serve early and cruising to a 6-2 victory. Zverev acknowledged Ruud's resilience, stating, "Credit to him to play until the end and fight until the end. He's a great champion and person and definitely he's going to be back."

This win carries significant weight for Zverev, who has consistently performed well in Grand Slams, reaching the semi-finals in four consecutive French Opens.
Reflecting on his 2020 US Open final loss to Dominic Thiem, Zverev admitted to his previous lack of readiness for a Grand Slam victory. Now, at 27 years old, he believes the time is right. "I'm 27 now, definitely not a kid anymore. If not now, then when? I'm in my first Roland Garros final and hopefully I can win my first Grand Slam."
Zverev's victory sets up a highly anticipated final against teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier triumphed over Jannik Sinner in a gruelling four-hour encounter. This clash promises to be a captivating battle between two of the sport's most exciting talents, each vying for the coveted French Open title.
(Inputs from Reuters)