Alexander Zverev arrives at the French Open last on the day his legal dispute is settled in Germany

PARIS (AP) – Alexander Zverev‘s day began with the announcement of an out-of-court settlement that ended a domestic violence case in his native Germany. On Friday night, he came one win away from his first Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud in the French Open semifinals.

Hours before the start of Zverev’s semi-finals in Paris, word came from Berlin that a district court there had ended a trial over the alleged assault of an ex-girlfriend during the 2020 feud. The German news agency dpa reported that the decision came with the consent of state prosecutors and lawyers of Zverev and his ex-partner Brenda Patea.

“I told you from the beginning; I told everyone. I’m glad it’s over, Zverev said at the post-match press conference. “Yeah, nothing else to say.”
When a reporter tried to continue the topic, Zverev said: “We’re moving forward. I don’t want to hear any more questions about it. That goes for everyone.”

Zverev has always denied wrongdoing and said before the start of the French Open that he was not worried about how things were going.

Fourth-seeded Zverev has lost in the semifinals at Roland Garros in each of the past three years, including in 2023 against No. 7 Ruud. In 2022, Zverev court left Philippe Chatrier in a wheelchair after he tore three ligaments in his right ankle in the semi-finals against Rafael Nadal.

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Zverev’s opponent in his second career major final – he was runner-up at the 2020 US Open – is No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Jannik Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 . , 6 – 3 earlier on Friday.

Zverev leads the head-to-head series with Alcaraz 5-4, including defeating the two-time champion in the 2022 French Open quarterfinals.
In his semi-final, Zverev took control only after Ruud had stomach problems.

“I saw him start moving a little slower,” Zverev said. “It usually is when you’re not feeling well.”

In Zverev’s only previous Slam final in a nearly empty stadium in New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he led Dominic Thiem in two sets but couldn’t seal the deal.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready to win my first Grand Slam final. I wasn’t mature enough. I was maybe too young. . I did not know what this event meant. And that’s why I lost,” Zverev said on Friday. “I’m 27 now. So definitely not a kid anymore. This is getting old. If not now, when?”

Ruudi is a three-time major finalist, including losing the Roland Garros title to Nadal in 2022 and Novak Djokovic in 2023.

On Friday, Ruudi’s level was high. for the tournament The first set and fell there n
The doctor visited him during the third period. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong and even though Ruud was given some tablets he didn’t seem to take them.

As the match went on, Ruudi was more indifferent than usual and didn’t even start hunting when Zverev hit a forehand break and took a 3-2 lead. That pretty much wrapped up this set.

After the set, Ruudi went to the dressing room. Things never improved for him when he returned and Zverev ended up starting fourth.
“I’m in the final; I haven’t won yet. But I just want to play my best tennis and give myself the best chance,” said Zverev, looking at Sunday can lift that trophy, it means the world I .”
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