A flawless Casper Ruud stormed into the French Open finals for a second year running by dismantling German 22nd seed Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-4 6-0 in a battle of big-hitters on Friday (June 9) and&nbsp;set up a showdown with 22-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Last year's runner-up Ruud swapped early breaks with Zverev before turning up the heat on a warm evening on Court Philippe Chatrier by pounding the German with some vicious, spin-heavy forehands to go up 5-2 and claiming the opening set.

Zverev, playing in a third straight Roland Garros semi-final at the scene of his season-ending ankle injury last year, wasted an early opening in the next set and found himself in trouble as fourth seed Ruud snatched another break in the seventh game.

Ruud extended his lead in the match and continued to control the rallies from behind the baseline to frustrate an error-prone Zverev in the next set, before storming into a third Grand Slam final in his last five events going back to Roland Garros 2022. 
 
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A flawless Casper Ruud stormed into the French Open finals for a second year running by dismantling German 22nd seed Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-4 6-0 in a battle of big-hitters on Friday (June 9) and set up a showdown with 22-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

A flawless Casper Ruud stormed into the French Open finals for a second year running by dismantling German 22nd seed Alexander Zverev 6-3 6-4 6-0 in a battle of big-hitters on Friday (June 9) and set up a showdown with 22-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Last year's runner-up Ruud swapped early breaks with Zverev before turning up the heat on a warm evening on Court Philippe Chatrier by pounding the German with some vicious, spin-heavy forehands to go up 5-2 and claiming the opening set. Zverev, playing in a third straight Roland Garros semi-final at the scene of his season-ending ankle injury last year, wasted an early opening in the next set and found himself in trouble as fourth seed Ruud snatched another break in the seventh game. Ruud extended his lead in the match and continued to control the rallies from behind the baseline to frustrate an error-prone Zverev in the next set, before storming into a third Grand Slam final in his last five events going back to Roland Garros 2022. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Rampant Ruud stops Zverev to book French Open final clash with Novak Djokovic

Defending champion Iga Swiatek felt the heat as she booked a French Open final spot for the third time in four years with a 6-2 7-6(7) win over Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday.

The world number one found it tough going during the second set but when it came to the tiebreak, she produced her full array of shots to outwit Haddad Maia and set up a Saturday showdown with unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova.

Swiatek, who lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup last year and in 2020, will retain top spot in the WTA rankings after world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was knocked out earlier.

As fans waved a Polish 'Poland Garros' flag in stands that were half empty when the match started, Swiatek showed rare signs of frustrations but managed to hold it together when it mattered to prevail as the clock hit the 9pm mark.

The 14th seeded Haddad Maia, whose career has been hampered by multiple injuries and 10-month doping ban in 2019-20, had played four consecutive three-set matches to fight her way to the semi-finals but she finally met her match in Swiatek.

Swiatek's previous matches had lasted only a little over an hour each, while Haddad Maia had spent nearly 13 hours on court.

Sent scurrying right, left and centre by Swiatek, the Brazilian relied on her power to try and stop the top seed from running away with the match.

Haddad Maia broke to love in the opening game on Court Philippe Chatrier, where most of the ticket holders for a sold-out day had decided to skip the start of what turned out to be an entertaining encounter.

It did not take Swiatek long to find her groove as she stole her opponent's serve to level for 1-1. She got a second break for 4-2 when Haddad Maia netted a drop shot attempt and sealed the set with another break of serve.

It seemed that Swiatek would stroll through the second set, but Haddad Maier had other ideas.

The Brazilian picked herself up and finally gave Swiatek a run for her money, setting up two break points at 4-4 with a stunning forehand down the line.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-karolina-muchova-stuns-aryna-sabalenka-in-epic-comeback-to-reach-final-602289">French Open: Karolina Muchova stuns Aryna Sabalenka in epic comeback to reach final</a>

With two big first serves, Swiatek saved them and staved off another one before holding, forcing Haddad Maia to serve to stay in the match.

The Brazilian held on to stretch the match into the tiebreak but she wasted a set point when she buried an easy backhand into the net.

Swiatek earned her first match point with a jaw-dropping crosscourt backhand winner, which her opponent saved with a stunning forehand down the line. The Pole had a second opportunity to close out the match at 8-7 and converted it at the net before throwing her fist in into the air in relief. 
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Defending champion Iga Swiatek felt the heat as she booked a French Open final spot for the third time in four years with a 6-2 7-6(7) win over Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek felt the heat as she booked a French Open final spot for the third time in four years with a 6-2 7-6(7) win over Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday. The world number one found it tough going during the second set but when it came to the tiebreak, she produced her full array of shots to outwit Haddad Maia and set up a Saturday showdown with unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova. Swiatek, who lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup last year and in 2020, will retain top spot in the WTA rankings after world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was knocked out earlier. As fans waved a Polish 'Poland Garros' flag in stands that were half empty when the match started, Swiatek showed rare signs of frustrations but managed to hold it together when it mattered to prevail as the clock hit the 9pm mark. The 14th seeded Haddad Maia, whose career has been hampered by multiple injuries and 10-month doping ban in 2019-20, had played four consecutive three-set matches to fight her way to the semi-finals but she finally met her match in Swiatek. Swiatek's previous matches had lasted only a little over an hour each, while Haddad Maia had spent nearly 13 hours on court. Sent scurrying right, left and centre by Swiatek, the Brazilian relied on her power to try and stop the top seed from running away with the match. Haddad Maia broke to love in the opening game on Court Philippe Chatrier, where most of the ticket holders for a sold-out day had decided to skip the start of what turned out to be an entertaining encounter. It did not take Swiatek long to find her groove as she stole her opponent's serve to level for 1-1. She got a second break for 4-2 when Haddad Maia netted a drop shot attempt and sealed the set with another break of serve. It seemed that Swiatek would stroll through the second set, but Haddad Maier had other ideas. The Brazilian picked herself up and finally gave Swiatek a run for her money, setting up two break points at 4-4 with a stunning forehand down the line. Also Read | French Open: Karolina Muchova stuns Aryna Sabalenka in epic comeback to reach final With two big first serves, Swiatek saved them and staved off another one before holding, forcing Haddad Maia to serve to stay in the match. The Brazilian held on to stretch the match into the tiebreak but she wasted a set point when she buried an easy backhand into the net. Swiatek earned her first match point with a jaw-dropping crosscourt backhand winner, which her opponent saved with a stunning forehand down the line. The Pole had a second opportunity to close out the match at 8-7 and converted it at the net before throwing her fist in into the air in relief. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iga Swiatek feels the heat but ends Haddad Maia’s run to reach Paris final

Australian Tennis player Dominic Thiem reached his first Grand Slam final with a 7-5, 7-6 (12/10), 6-1 victory, ending Marco Cecchinato's French Open fairytale on Friday.

The Seventh seed Thiem is the first Austrian to make a final at the majors since Thomas Muster was champion in Paris in 1995.

Thiem will face 10-time champion and world number one Rafael Nadal&nbsp;in Sunday's final.

The 24-year-old has a losing record against both Nadal (3-6) and Del Potro (0-4) but he is the only man to have defeated the Spaniard on clay in the last two years.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, world 72 Cecchinato had knocked out three seeded players to reach the semi-finals, including 12-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

Cecchinato had never won a Grand Slam match before this year's Roland Garros but made the semis with a string of stunning wins.

The Seventh seed Thiem is the first Austrian to make a final at the majors

Australian Tennis player Dominic Thiem reached his first Grand Slam final with a 7-5, 7-6 (12/10), 6-1 victory, ending Marco Cecchinato's French Open fairytale on Friday. The Seventh seed Thiem is the first Austrian to make a final at the majors since Thomas Muster was champion in Paris in 1995. Thiem will face 10-time champion and world number one Rafael Nadal in Sunday's final. The 24-year-old has a losing record against both Nadal (3-6) and Del Potro (0-4) but he is the only man to have defeated the Spaniard on clay in the last two years. Meanwhile, world 72 Cecchinato had knocked out three seeded players to reach the semi-finals, including 12-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Cecchinato had never won a Grand Slam match before this year's Roland Garros but made the semis with a string of stunning wins.

Dominic Thiem beats Cecchinato to book place in French Open finals