Zverev warns against Ruud: “Knows what it takes”

Alexander Zverev needs to get rid of Casper Ruud to advance to his second Grand Slam final.

On the way to his second Grand Slam final, Alexander Zverev only has to clear one hurdle at the Frech Open, but he is warned of his upcoming opponent Casper Ruud.

“He’s been at this point before. He played the final last year, so he knows exactly what it means and what it takes,” said Germany’s best tennis player before his semi-final duel against last year’s Norwegian finalist in Paris on Friday (not before 5:15 p.m./SPORTS1-LIVE TICKER).

“He is a very, very good tennis player,” said Zverev, while his opponent also thought warmly of the Olympic champion. “It’s great to see Sascha back,” said Ruud, referring to Zverev’s severe ankle injury a year ago and the subsequent period of suffering: “It was a tough year for Sascha and he fought back.”

Ruud, who is in the semi-finals for the second time in Roland Garros, is looking forward to his fourth match with Zverev. “I think for both of us reaching the semifinals is the best result this year. We’ll both try to enjoy the match and of course we’d like to be in the final on Sunday.” Zverev has won two of his three games against Ruud – the two have not yet faced each other on clay.

The Hamburger surprisingly reported back to the top of the world in Paris after a long form crisis. He is now hoping to reach his second Major final after two losses in the semifinals in 2021 and 2022.

In 2020 he lost in the final of the US Open to Austrian Dominic Thiem.