As often, one semi-final crushed the other.
In terms of level of play, intensity, atmosphere (in a stadium far from full) and emotion, the Norwegian Casper Ruud and the Croatian Marin Cilic could not compete with the 3h13, for a little less than 2 sets, before the injury and the abandonment of Zverev, leaving Nadal spinning towards a 14th final Porte d'Auteuil.
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They were aiming for the ticket of an unprecedented finalist at Roland-Garros.
Marin Cilic will not experience a 4th major final (titled at the US Open in 2014, finalist at Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018).
The Norwegian (23 years old; world No. 8), winner 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in 2h55 will discover an unknown land.
On Sunday, he will face his idol.
The one whose academy he attends.
The one with whom he shares the taste of the earth.
The Norwegian who will experience his first Grand Slam final will indeed see the master of the place stand before him.
In search of a… 14th title in Paris (after those collected in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020).
A 22nd Grand Slam title.
A mountain for Ruud who, since his 1st round played in special circumstances, since it marked the retirement of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, lived a serene tournament with convincing successes against the Pole Hbert Hurkacz in the round of 16, then against the Dane Holger Rune in the quarter-finals.
Buoyed by the momentum of his previous matches (Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16, then Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals), Marin Cilic launched his match with his feet to the floor.
The Croatian dreading having to fence in the long lines of Casper Ruud, a true clay-court specialist (7 of his 8 titles on the circuit were won on this surface).
After a dominated 1st, Marin Cilic saw Casper Ruud gain strength and irresistibly break away, relying on his strengths: service and forehand (16 aces; 71% of points scored on his 1st serve; 41 winning shots) .
“I didn't start well, I was too defensive.
I took his serve
(to lead 2-1 in the 2nd set)
and I started.
I played one of my best matches since the beginning of the year.
Marin was playing very fast, hitting very hard, had big serves, I told myself that I had to play faster, change tactics, raise my level of play, ”
summarized the Norwegian.
In the final, Casper Ruud will challenge his idol.
Rafael Nadal assures: “
For me, there is no real surprise, Casper is one of the candidates.
He is one of those who can win.
Whenever there's a clay-court event, it's one of the favorites.
»
Nadal, a player against whom Ruud has never played on the circuit.
The Norwegian says: “
I worked a lot on my emotions.
Young, I cried a lot, I was too negative, I grew up, I became more mature.
I tried to do like Rafa (Nadal).
He never complains, he is always focused, always perfect.
It's a perfect example of what to do on a court.
He has always been my idol.
»
Rubbing it in the context of a first major final, at Roland-Garros, will not be easy:
“He is the last player in the Big 3, the fantastic three against whom I have not played
( 0 wins-3 losses against Novak Djokovic; 0-1 against Roger Federer).
It's the perfect timing.
It's unbelievable that it's in the Grand Slam final.
For him, it's normal.
It's going to be great.
We come from the same academy…”
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