RAFAEL Nadal reached his 14th French Open final yesterday, after Alexander Zverev was forced to quit their semi-final after suffering a horror right ankle injury.

Zverev left the court in a wheelchair after turning his ankle trailing 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 following more than three hours of play.

After screaming in anguish, the 25-year-old was helped from the court by medics. He returned to the court on crutches minutes later and conceded the match.

“It is very sad and tough for him. He was playing an unbelievable tournament, and he is a very good colleague on the tour,” said Nadal.

“I know how much he is fighting to win a Grand Slam.

“For the moment, he is very unlucky. I am sure he will win not one, but much more. I wish him all the best.

“It was a super-tough match. More than three hours, and we did not even finish the second set.

“It is one of the biggest challenges on the tour when he is playing like he did today.”

He added: “For me, it is a dream to be in the final of Roland Garros, without a doubt.”

“But at the same time, for it to finish that way… I have been there in the small room with Sascha and to see him crying like that – I wish him all the best.”

Nadal, chasing a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title, will play either Casper Ruud or Marin Cilic in the final tomorrow. – AFP, June 4, 2022.