Nadal reaches 14th final at Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal reached his 14th French Open final when Alexander Zverev was forced to quit their semi-final after suffering a sickening right ankle injury on Friday. Zverev had to leave the court in a wheelchair after turning his ankle as he chased down the ball on Court Philippe Chatrier. The German was trailing 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 after more than three hours of play at the time of the horror injury. As his piercing screams of pain echoed around the 15,000-seater court, a tearful Zverev was helped from the court by medics. Minutes later, the 25-year-old returned on crutches and conceded the match, with Nadal embracing his heartbroken opponent. "It's very tough and very sad for him. He was playing an unbelievable tournament and he's a very good colleague on the tour," said 13-time champion Nadal. "I know how much he's fighting to win a Grand Slam. For the moment, he was very unlucky. I'm sure he'll win not one, but much more than one. I wish him all the best. "It had been a super tough match. Over three hours and we didn't even finish the second set. It's one of the biggest challenges on the tour when he's playing like he did today." He added: "For me, to be in the final of Roland Garros is a dream, 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 Marin Cilic or Casper Ruud in Sunday's final. Until the dramatic end of the match, Zverev had been pushing Nadal all the way. Nadal becomes the second oldest man to make the final in Paris after 37-year-old Bill Tilden who was runner-up in 1930. If he wins on Sunday, he would be the tournament's oldest champion, eclipsing his 34-year-old compatriot Andres Gimeno who took the title in 1972. (AFP)