Roland Garros/French Open
Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Rafael Nadal: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5756335239
In the first semifinal match earlier today on the terre battue in Paris, Rafael Nadal advanced past German Alexander Zverev to reach his 14th French Open Men's Final. That is not surprising, of course. However, it was not strictly because of Nadal's typical wearing down of an opponent, as is usually the case. This match was very close, and indeed, Zverev was keeping it tight. He had a chance, despite having dropped the first set, 7-6 (10-8), and the two men were heading to a tiebreak at the end of the second set, as well. In other words, it was a very impressive, entertaining match.
Then, Zverev suffered a horrific ankle injury. Apparently, he planted his foot awkwardly trying to get a Nadal forehand, and fell to the ground. He stayed there for several minutes, while Nadal went to hi side. Later on in social media, Zverev revealed that it was indeed a very serious injury, but that he will work with doctors, trying to fix the injury.
What a horrible ending to what was, up to that point, a great and highly competitive match. Nadal does advance to another French Open final, but he does so in a rather shocking fashion.
Zverev was hoping to reach the second Grand Slam final of his career, having reached the US Open Men's Final in 2020, but having fallen short to Dominic Thiem. However, Zverev did win the Olympic Gold Medal last year, which is a huge accomplishment. He entered this match as the number three ranked man in tennis. Hopefully, we will see Zverev back on the courts soon.
In the other semifinal, Croatian Marin Čilić was attempting to reach ot just a fourth ever Grand Slam final, but achieving the still rare distinction of reaching the final of all four Grand Slam events. However, it was not to be. He was denied this achievement by Christian Ruud of Norway, the number eight ranked man in the world currently. Ruud overcame losing the first set, taking the next three sets to reach his first ever Grand Slam final appearance. Ruud won this match, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Prior to this tournament, he had never reached the quarterfinal of any Grand Slam tournament. Now, he is one match away from winning a Grand Slam title. Ruud is he first Norwegian man to ever win an ATP event, and now owns the distinction as the first Norwegian man to ever reach a Grand Slam final, with hopes of winning the whole thing.
However, it will not be easy. In order to hoist the Coupe des Mousquetaires, he has to first defeat Nadal, the "King of Clay." Nadal is the most decorated man ever in tennis. He has won 21 Grand Slam titles, more than any other man. Plus, he won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, which makes him one of only two men in history to have won every single Grand Slam title plus an Olympic gold. But Nadal is historically dominant on the clay courts, and particularly here at Roland Garros, having won 13 French Open titles in the past. Nadal has won 91 ATP titles in his illustrious career, with 62 of them coming on clay. He also historically holds the longest winning streak of anyone on any surface, having once won 81 consecutive matches on clay.
So my prediction should be obvious. When the dust of the terre batue settles after the match on Sunday, Nadal will collect another Coupe des Mousquetaires, getting to hoist the prestigious trophy for a historical 14th time. It seems surreal that we are talking about that as a very real possibility, even a probability, at this point. But yes, I figure that Nadal will indeed win this French Open Men's Final, and will add to his overall lead in terms of Grand Slam championships won, with his 22nd. Ruud has been incredible in this tournament, and the 23-year old does appear to have a very promising future. But presently, the greatest tennis player ever on clay courts, and arguably the greatest tennis player ever, period is looking phenomenal, and it is hard to see him falling short after enduring so much. Look for Nadal to win this and, my guess is, it will not go beyond four sets for him to do it.
'Very serious': Alexander Zverev offers update after gruesome ankle injury suffered during French Open semifinal match vs. Rafael Nadal David Suggs, June 3, 2022:
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/tennis/news/alexander-zverev-ankle-injury-french-open-rafael-nadal-update/bovcuizm6msc2j62ugqs1uoj
No comments:
Post a Comment