Summary

  • Now: Casper Ruud beats Marin Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 to reach maiden Grand Slam final

  • He will face Rafael Nadal, who advances after Alexander Zverev retires injured in second set

  • Zverev leaves court in wheelchair after screaming in pain after a fall. He later returns on crutches to hug Nadal

  • Nadal had been leading 7-6 (10-8) 6-6 when Zverev left court

  • Play was suspended for 15 minutes in third set of Ruud v Cilic after protester entered court

  • Nadal into 14th French Open final

Live Reporting

Michael Emons and Amy Lofthouse

  1. Break point Nadal. This for five breaks in five games.

  2. Zverev breaks back

    Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 2-2 Zverev*

    Zverev breaks to 15. No-one wants to hold their serve and it's the fourth break of the set, 2-2. Back on serve.

  3. *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 2-1 Zverev

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Roland Garros

    The clock has just ticked past the two-hour mark.

    We're into the fourth game of the second set.

    The Euro-per-minute ratio for today's ticket holders is going to be strong value for money.

  4. We may well have our fourth break of serve in four games here, 15-40 on the Nadal serve.

  5. *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 2-1 Zverev

    Naomi Cavaday
    BBC Sport tennis commentator

    That is the most ridiculous point I've ever seen. Nadal just shoved the ball over the net because he could barely stand up any more. All Zverev had to do was roll it into the court. They are exhausted. Nadal has flopped into his chair.

  6. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Roland Garros

    OMG. Just a casual 44-shot rally. Blimey.

    Twice in the point some of the Chatrier crowd got too excited thinking it was over, leading to some shushing from others.

    The lads have earned their sit-down after that. Exhausting to watch, never mind play.

  7. Nadal breaks

    *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 2-1 Zverev

    A 44-stroke rally, yes, 44! It brings oohs and aahs from the crowd as both men have moments when they are going to take control.

    Zverev goes for the cross-court winner but it is just out and he slumps over his racquet. He's putting in so much effort and not getting the rewards.

    Nadal back with a break advantage and for the third time in three games there is a break of serve.

  8. Zverev saved that break point, but now faces another as he just can't nudge a half volley over.

  9. Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-1 Zverev*

    A slice from Nadal sets up an error from Zverev and we could have our third break of serve in three games at the beginning of the second set, 30-40.

  10. Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-1 Zverev*

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Roland Garros

    After being sat on court for the length of a football match - plus stoppages - plenty of fans need a loo/refreshment break.

    We're nowhere near half-time though. Could be a long way to go still, depending on how/if Zverev recovers.

    He talked after beating Alcaraz in the previous round about needing to stay calm - and that's what he did.

    This is a different task altogether. Nadal has never lost the first set in his 15 Roland Garros semi-finals now, going on to win 13 of them.

    Will this be number 14?

  11. Zverev with the immediate break back

    Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-1 Zverev*

    Nadal broke in game one of the second set, and Zverev broke in game two.

    With both men close to the net, Nadal tried to lob his opponent, but 6ft 6in Zverev is a tough man to clear, he gets to it and eventually finishes off a close-range shot.

    zverevGetty Images

  12. Zverev now has a break point to instantly get us back on serve in the second set.

  13. *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-0 Zverev

    A forehand swatted away from Nadal goes long and we're at deuce on his serve.

  14. *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-0 Zverev

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Roland Garros

    French OpenBBC Sport

    Art is an integral part of French culture and that is evident all around Roland Garros.

    There are multiple works around the site, including a sculpture of its greatest champion: Rafael Nadal.

    Imagine being so good that you have your own statue when you're still playing. Incredible.

    Created by Spanish artist Jordi Diez Fernandez, this steel monument stands three-metres high and captures the 13-time men's champion in an iconic pose - whipping away a forehand winner.

    The sculpture is placed at the bottom of the stairs when fans enter Roland Garros from one of the main entrances next to Chatrier.

    Unsurprisingly, the legions of Spanish fans who are always present here in Paris have been queuing up to get a photo next to the steel version of their hero.

  15. *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-0 Zverev

    Signs of frustration from Zverev after he puts too much power on a forehand at the end of a 11-shot rally. Nadal has won all of the first six points in this second set, 30-0.

  16. Get Involved

    #bbctennis

    Dr Ros Clarke: Zverev has got to be gutted about that. Played brilliantly, dominated for an hour or so, but still lost the first set.

    Sulaimon Adelekan: The king of clay just stole that set from Alexander Zverev.

  17. Nadal breaks

    *Nadal 7-6 (10-8) 1-0 Zverev

    A break to love in the opening service game of the first set. Nadal now a set and a break up.

  18. A two-handed backhand from Zverev just is off target and Nadal has three break points in the opening game of set number two.

  19. Nadal 7-6 (10-8) Zverev

    How much will losing that first set, a 91-minute one, take out physically and emotionally on Zverev?

    He starts us off in the second set.

  20. Nadal 7-6 (10-8) Zverev

    Naomi Broady
    British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    I honestly don't think Zverev will come back from that. Maybe, now he's a set down, he'll be able to loosen off. But Nadal was starting to improve...