Rafael Nadal reaches French Open final after Alexander Zverev retires with ankle injury

PARIS — Rafael Nadal has become the second-oldest men's finalist in French Open history after his semifinal opponent, Alexander Zverev, stopped playing Friday because of an injured right leg. Now Nadal will try to become the oldest champion at a tournament he's already won a record 13 times.

Playing on his 36th birthday at an event he first won at 19, Nadal emerged to claim a tight-as-can-be, draining first set that lasted 1 1/2 hours by a 7-6 (8) score. The second set also was headed to a tiebreaker after another 1 1/2 hours when Zverev tumbled behind the baseline while chasing a ball to his right.

Zverev's black outfit was covered in rust-colored clay, as were his legs and arms, and he immediately grabbed his right ankle, screaming in pain.

A trainer came out to attend to him, and Nadal walked around the net to check on Zverev, too.

Zverev then was taken off the court in a wheelchair. Several minutes later, he came back out using crutches and said he needed to retire from the match. He shook the chair umpire's hand and then hugged Nadal.

«Well it was very tough and very sad for him,» Nadal said. «He was playing unbelievable tournament. He's a very good colleague on the tour. I know how much he's fighting to win a Grand Slam and for the moment he was unlucky. He will win more than one Grand Slam and I wish him all the best.

»It's one of the biggest challenges to play Zverev when he's playing like this. It's a super high level. It's difficult to say things in this situation. For me to be in the final of Roland Garros is a dream but at the same time to finish that way and to see him crying is a tough moment, so all the best to him."

Nadal has been dealing with chronic pain in his left foot and was coming off a pair of