French Open: Alexander Zverev limps out as Rafael Nadal makes final at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal advanced to his 14th French Open final, but not quite in the manner he may have envisaged - fists pumping and fighting to the finish. Alexander Zverev, who was giving Nadal a run around his own house -- Court Philippe Chatrier -- for 3 hours 3 minutes, of the first men's semifinal, which looked set to challenge some time records, however, broke his ankle and exited the stage in tears. 7-6 (10-8), 6-6 was where the scoreboard was stopped.

In the 12th game of the second set, the 25-year-old running wide, chasing a forehand, came crashing down on the clay after twisting his ankle. The 6ft 6' German, who had thumped 40 winners in the match, was clutching his leg and howling in agony. Nadal raced across the court as the tournament's support staff gathered around the sobbing German, who was then wheeled off the court.

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Rafael Nadal reached his 14th French Open final on Friday when Alexander Zverev was forced to quit their last-four clash after suffering a sickening right ankle injury on a day of drama at Roland Garros. On Sunday, Nadal will play in his 30th Grand Slam final when he tackles Casper Ruud, the first

A few minutes later, Zverev returned on crutches to tell the chair umpire that he was retiring from the contest.

"Very tough, very sad," Nadal said of the way the semifinal ended. "He was playing an unbelievable tournament. I know how he has been fighting to win a Grand Slam, but for the moment has been so much unlucky. I have been with Sascha (Zverev) in the small room before he came back to court. It was tough to see him crying. The only thing I am sure is that he is going to win, not one, but much more than one (Grand Slam). I hope