French Open Highlights, men's semi-finals: Casper Ruud beats Marin Cilic, to face Rafael Nadal in final

June 03, 2022

01:59 (IST)

Nadal vs Ruud in the final

Right then we have our final. On one side will be a 13-time champion and a 14-time finalist Rafael Nadal and on the other a maiden Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud. It will also be the first meeting between Nadal and Ruud. Fun little anecdote: Ruud moved to the Rafael Nadal Academy in 2018 when he was in mid 100's in the world. Now he's World No 8 and slated to climb to sixth in the world on Monday. Will he do that with a win on Sunday? Before that, we have the women's final tomorrow between Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff where it is similar scenario. Swiatek could win a second French Open title or Gauff her first major. Join us then. Good night!

01:51 (IST)

First Nowegian into the final!

01:47 (IST)

Game, set, match Casper Ruud

Casper Ruud comes from a set down to beat Marin 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and is into his maiden Grand Slam final. Family and friends in the box rightly celebrate and in tears as Ruud sets up final against Rafael Nadal

01:45 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 Cilic (* denotes next server)

Ruud serving for a place in the final. Starts off with plenty of zip on his forehands and the Cilic lob is put away for a confident smash. Cilic sends a backhand long and it is 30-0. Precise serve on the deuce court, out wide, opens the court up for a forehand winner and it is three match points. Closed out with an ace!

01:36 (IST)

Ruud* 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-1 Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic's backhand cross court is into the tramlines and it is 0-30. Now Cilic rushes into the forehand and finds the net. Three break points for Ruud. One saved with Ruud sending the backhand serve return long. Once again Cilic's contact on the forehand is not the cleanest, the body weight not transferring into the shot and the ball hits the net. This is virtually game, set, match to Ruud!

01:34 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-1 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Ruud starts the fourth set by breaking Cilic early (yes again!) and the Croatian will have to play catch up again. It is all Ruud though and the scoreline is not lying. World No 8 Ruud not rushing towards the finishing line but Cilic's errors are rising

01:29 (IST)

Stepping away and looking at Wimbledon 2022

Wimbledon have released the official entry list for Wimbledon 2022 and Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams are not on it. The Russian and Belarusian players are not on it because they're banned.  Stan Wawrinka has not used his protected ranking despite playing warm-up events. Dominic Thiem, who is taking some time off, is using it for now. For India, Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan are alternatives in the men's singles main draw but also make the qualifying list if they don't. Also in that list is Prajnesh Gunneswaran. No Sumit Nagal or Ankita Raina. Bear in mind, these lists can change and evolve depending on variety of factors and wildcards are yet to be announced.

01:16 (IST)

One to go for Ruud!

01:16 (IST)

Third set: Casper Ruud 6-2

Casper Ruud takes a two sets to one lead over Marin Cilic by winning the third set 6-2 in 45 minutes. He is by far the better player with Cilic missing many balls he was making in the previous two rounds. The set will also grab headlines for a protestor causing disruption with security caught napping

01:14 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Casper Ruud doesn't make the most of two set points and now CIlic has a chance to break after putting the Norwegian under the pump. Cilic goes for broke on the forehand but misses. Back to deuce. Once again, Cilic attacks but the forehand is into the tramlines. He is hitting the ball bigger but missing the thin margins. A body into the serve and the return goes wide. Ruud is two sets to one up!

01:11 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 5-1 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Ruud loses his rhythm after the restart and concedes two straight points. It gives Cilic two break points but he's unable to make them count. 

00:58 (IST)

The protestor had a website link on her T-shirt which already spoke of the protest. It's like they knew the security is not efficient enough!

00:56 (IST)

The woman is reportedly a 22-year-old climate activist. Her T-shirt says "We have 1028 days left" urging the world to do something about climate change. 

00:48 (IST)

Players have walked off court after a protestor tied herself to the net. It appears there's damage to the net which is why the chair umpire has asked the players to return to the locker room. Bizarre that the security didn't do anything quickly even as she came on to the court, tied herself and even then the security strolled on. Given the security issues that tennis has had, that is not a good look.

00:46 (IST)

Ruud is on the money with everything!

00:41 (IST)

Beautifully played from Ruud

00:40 (IST)

Ruud dictating play completely now

00:35 (IST)

Ruud* 3-6, 6-4, 3-0 Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic making plenty of errors, clearly rattled and unable to get rid of the mental pressure being created by rising mistakes. He's muttering to himself and testing the shot clock. Each time he's going close to 30 seconds but is yet to get a violation. Worth mentioning, Nadal was averaging 34 seconds between points in his semi-final - the permissible limit is 30 seconds. Back to the tennis. Cilic saves two break points with two straight winners but he has another to deal with. Ruud with a gorgeous forehand cross court winner to bring up break point. And he goes a DOUBLE BREAK up with a sublime, deft slice with Cilic at the net

00:26 (IST)

Happy birthday Rafa!

00:22 (IST)

Ruud* 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic is incensed that he's unable to put away simple overheads. Misses one and on break point he misses another. Ruud once again breaks early in a set

00:16 (IST)

How beautiful is that!

00:15 (IST)

Even Stevens!

00:14 (IST)

Second set: Casper Ruud 6-4

Casper Ruud takes the second set 6-4 in 45 minutes and has the match at one set all. Ruud capitalising on a solitary break and then producing the goods to hold serve from 0-40 down

00:11 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 6-4 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Ruud is serving for the second set. Ruud starts with an error and then Cilic thunders a forehand cross court winner to make it 0-30. Cilic's eighth forehand winner this set. And now Ruud with a backhand that goes long. He gestures at his box in frustration. Triple break point for Cilic. Saves one with a forehand winner and boy was that very close to the sideline. Another one goes begging - big serve and the return is into the net. Crowd trying to motivate Cilic to get the break. And a third one is saved. Positive play from Ruud and some huge forehands to peg Cilic back and rocks forward to put it away for a winner. On deuce, an ace and he has set point from 0-40 down. Backhand winner down the line and Ruud has the second set 6-4 in 45 minutes!

23:51 (IST)

Ruud 3-6, 3-2 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Ruud held serve in the previous game after saving a break point and now Cilic is pushed on his serve. Three aces and a double fault in this game before he gets the job done on fifth time of asking

23:40 (IST)

Ruud* 3-6, 2-1 Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic with a wild forehand and Ruud draws first blood in the second set. He breaks Marin's serve and has the advantage early in the second set

23:27 (IST)

First set: Marin Cilic 6-3

Marin Cilic breaks the Casper Ruud twice in a row and he's taken the opening set 6-3 in 45 minutes. Cilic making the big points count

23:24 (IST)

Ruud 3-6 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic with some fierce hitting on the backhand and Ruud is suddenly having to defend set point. Gets it! Cilic moves up, takes the low ball early and whips a forehand winner cross court. 6-3 to Cilic!

23:15 (IST)

Ruud 3-4 *Cilic (* denotes next server)

Cilic with a massive forehand cross court on the Ruud serve and the Croatian gets the break! 

22:41 (IST)

Ready, play!

Who will face Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday?

22:34 (IST)

More on Casper Ruud:

Former World No 1 junior is first Norwegian to break into top-10, win an ATP Tour title, reach an ATP Masters 1000 final and qualify for the year-ending ATP Finals

Came into the French Open on the back of a title in Geneva

22:21 (IST)

STAT: Casper Ruud on clay in 2020-22: Most match wins (65), most finals (8) and most titles (7)

22:19 (IST)

Head-to-head

Casper Ruud has won both of his meetings with Marin Cilic. They met on clay in Rome in 2020 and on hards in Toronto last year. Ruud won 6-2, 7-6 on clay and 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in Canada

22:16 (IST)

Intro: Marin Cilic

No. 23 Cilic, meanwhile, bids to become the lowest-ranked Roland Garros finalist since No. 25 Soderling in 2009. If he beats Ruud, Cilic will be 19th men’s player in history to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam events. Cilic is trying to reach the Roland Garros final for the first time in his 16th appearance

22:13 (IST)

Who is Casper Ruud?

On to the second semi-final then. Casper Ruud is projected to rise to No. 6 with a semi-final win over Marin Cilic. Ruud is Norway’s first Grand Slam men’s semi-finalist and would be the first man since Robin Soderling of Sweden in 2009 to reach his first Roland Garros fourth round, quarter-final, semi-final and final in the same year

21:59 (IST)

Zverev deserves all the applause going his way

21:57 (IST)

Nadal wishes Zverev a speedy recovery

21:55 (IST)

Rafael Nadal in on-court interview

"I have been there in the small room with Sascha before we came back on court and to see him crying there is a very tough moment so just all the best to him and all the team"

21:53 (IST)

Game, set, match Rafael Nadal!

Rafael Nadal is through to the French Open final after beating Alexander Zverev 7-6, 6-6 (retired) after the German suffered an ankle injury. He went off court in a wheelchair and returned in crutches. 

21:48 (IST)

WARNING: The injury image is extremely graphic. Please look at your own discretion.

21:45 (IST)

Zverev off court in a wheelchair

21:45 (IST)

This is horrible to watch

21:43 (IST)

Zverev is off the court on a wheelchair

The commentators inform the replay is so horrific that they're not going to show it. Zverev is off the court now and Nadal is made to wait to find out whether he's through to the final (Image: SonyLiv)

21:40 (IST)

Nadal 7-6, 6-6 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Nadal moves along to 40-15 and is within touching distance of forcing a tiebreak. A drop shot from the Spaniard doesn't have enough on it to keep Zverev away from it and the German cruises for a winner. At 40-30, Zverev goes for a down the line winner but he rolls along on his ankle. Hard to watch as he screams and cries in pain. This is horrific to watch!

21:34 (IST)

Never say die!

21:31 (IST)

Nadal* 7-6, 5-6 Zverev (* denotes next server)

After a long, long time we have a sensational point. Zverev has an opportunity to close it out but Nadal keeps coming back time and again and makes it 0-30 with a winner that Zverev desperately tries to get to to but the spin takes it away. Zverev claws back with a great volley and now a smash put away even as Nadal scrambles all over the baseline. OUSTANDING BACKHAND WINNER! Zverev hits the bullseye - a 157kmph flat backhand winner that has Nadal beat. And Zverev down the T is good and the return doesn't come back. Zverev holds from 0-30 down.

21:26 (IST)

Nadal 7-6, 5-5 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Given how this set has gone, expect another break. Zverev slaps a high ball from Nadal for a forehand winner and it is 0-15. And now a double fault. This has been shambolic. Nadal going for his tried-and-tested serve and volley method. Good serve and the ball sits high up for a near-putaway. But Zverev gets it back and on the second time of asking, Rafa puts it away to make it 15-30. Zverev's forehand goes long and it is 30-30. Sensational defence from Nadal to get a deep Zverev forehand back and then Sascha's smash is a mishit which goes out. Nadal has his hands in the air to celebrate a hold of serve! Gets out of a logjam with a crucial drop volley. Baffling but that is his first hold of serve!

21:18 (IST)

Nadal* 7-6, 4-5 Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev serving for the second set. And starts with a double fault. He yells out something and is given warning for audible obscenity. He contests the warning and says he "didn't say that bad word" but it stays. Unperturbed, Zverev forces Nadal into errors to make it 30-15 and then comes back yet another double fault. 30-30 and second serve: Zverev with a backhand sailing long and Nadal has a break point. DOUBLE FAULT! Third double fault of the game and Nadal has the second set on serve. Update: Nine games played, eight breaks.

21:14 (IST)

Nadal 7-6, 3-5 *Zverev (* denotes next server)

Nadal with a poor volley, bit over eager in moving up and the ball sits up in the middle of the court for Zverev to send a forehand winner. And now a shock smash missed from Nadal! Zverev doing very well to get one half-smash back but there wasn't much heat on it. On break point, Nadal shanks the forehand into the net. BREAK! Nadal unable to hold serve at all in this second set. Eight games played, seven breaks. Yikes!

21:07 (IST)

Nadal* 7-6, 3-4 Zverev (* denotes next server)

And now Zverev is broken! A double fault on 30-40 and Nadal brings the second set to serve. The quality of tennis has taken a massive dip in the last couple of minutes. 

French Open 2022 Live, Day 13: Rafael Nadal will face No 3 seed Alexander Zverev in one French Open men’s semi-final. No 20 Marin Cilic will play No 8 Casper Ruud in the second semi-final on Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday.

It is Nadal's 36th birthday. There is rain in the forecast, so it is a good thing the stadium has a retractable roof.

Nadal showed up at Roland Garros with his personal doctor because of chronic pain in his left foot.

The Spaniard known as the King of Clay is seeking a 14th French Open trophy and 22nd Grand Slam title overall — both of those numbers would add to records he already holds — and has said repeatedly that he does not know if each match will be his last at the tournament he has dominated for so long.

None of the other three players remaining the men's bracket has participated in a final in Paris. And only Zverev has even been to the semi-final at the clay-court major, losing at that stage a year ago. The 25-year-old German was the runner-up at the 2020 US Open and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

Cilic, a 33-year-old from Croatia, won the 2014 US Open and is now one of five active players to get to the final-four at least once at each Grand Slam tournament.

Ruud is a 23-year-old from Norway who hadn't been past the fourth round at a Slam until now. The men's final is Sunday.

(with inputs from AP)

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