June 3 (UPI) -- Rafael Nadal moved on to the French Open men's final Friday after his opponent, third-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany, was forced to retire because of an ankle injury.
The 36-year-old Nadal was locked in a tight semifinal match with Zverev when the German ran to chase a shot and twisted his right ankle. Zverev tumbled to the ground at Court Philippe Chatrier and immediately clutched at his lower leg as he wailed in agony.
Covered in rust-colored clay from the court, Zverev was eventually helped up by a trainer and taken away in a wheelchair. Shortly later, he came back out onto the court on crutches and conceded the match, which was still in the second set.
The sudden end to the three-hour contest allowed the fifth-seeded Nadal to become the second-oldest male finalist in French Open history.
He will attempt to become the oldest champion at the tournament -- which he has already won a record 13 times -- in Sunday's final against first-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.