Rafael Nadal into final, Alexander Zverev leaves court in wheelchair after shocking injury in French Open

Rafael Nadal beat Alexander Zverev 7-6(2) 6-6 when the German had to retire hurt towards the end of the second set in their French Open semi-final following a nasty ankle injury. Zverev cried out in agony after going over on his ankle and the severity of the injury was immediately clear. Ad/> Speaking on Eurosport Germany, his brother Mischa said: «Sascha never cries! Something bad must have happened! That's impossible! /> Roland-GarrosHeartbreaking moment Zverev helped away in wheelchair as Nadal consoles him after injury41 MINUTES AGO »The ankle was gone.

That was an angle, in that position nothing can stick. He couldn't get up. He was really screaming." Zverev had to leave the court in a wheelchair after being consoled by Nadal.

After a short period, Zverev returned to the court on crutches to confirm his retirement from the match and leave his hopes of reaching the final in tatters. Nadal had reached the semi-final stage with a draining four-set win over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, with a couple of days' rest useful as he dealt with a foot problem which he had suggested may curtail his involvement in other tournaments this season.

Zverev meanwhile had also needed four sets to progress from his quarter-final as he defeated burgeoning star Carlos Alcaraz. In the first set both players had their moments in the ascendancy, with the two of them breaking the other. With the scores at 5-5, the German appeared to have a chance to break for the second time before Nadal held on — as the players took a break, the Spaniard received cautionary words about the speed of his service game.