Alexander Zverev’s improved serve has been key to his performances on clay this season: the German made 86% of his first serves in his semi-final win against Casper Ruud and similar stats today would put him in a great position against Alcaraz.

The Spaniard is a brilliant counter-puncher, but Zverev dominated on serve in the pair Australian Open quarter-final earlier this season - with Alcaraz having a look at just five break points across the four sets.

Alcaraz made a slow start to that match in Melbourne, as he did in the semi-final against Sinner, and can’t afford another against such a big server. Alcaraz’s variety and speed will always give him a certain advantage against Zverev, especially if his first serve percentage dips and Alcaraz can attack the second.

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev arrived at Roland Garros bright and early this morning. It’s a sunny, clear day in Paris, which should lead to conditions that favour big-serving and attacking play from the baseline. Both players had to slog it out during the first week, where the roof was often closed and resulted in a very different tournament.

R1: vs JJ Wolf, 6-1 6-2 6-1

R2: vs Jesper de Jong, 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2

R3: vs Seb Korda (27), 6-4 7-6 6-3

R4: vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (21), 6-3 6-3 6-1

QFs: vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (9), 6-3 7-6 6-4

SFs: vs Jannik Sinner (2), 2-6 6-3 3-6 4-6 6-3

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Coco Gauff: “This is my third final so third time is a charm. Thank you Katerina for agreeing to play with me, it was very last minute. Congratulations to Sara and Jasmine for a great tournament and congratulations Jasmine for a great tournament in singles.

“Thank you for my team - it’s been a fun two weeks with you guys in singles and doubles. I know it’s been long and we’re all ready to go and have fun. Paris is my favourite city.”

Alexander Zverev spoke about his “journey” to his second grand slam final before facing Carlos Alcaraz today, and it’s certainly been an interesting one.

From losing the US Open final to Dominic Thiem from two sets up in 2020, to breaking his ankle when facing Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals in 2022, Zverev has taken the long road to get himself back to grand slam contention.

Can the German, who won the Rome title to mark him as one of the favourites for Roland Garros, now take the next step? The 27-year-old has long been tipped to step into the dominance left behind by Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, but has seen the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner overtake him in recent years.

“Going from basically the US Open final where I was two points away, to being rolled off in a wheelchair here two years ago. It’s all part of my journey,” he said.

“Look, 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. If I am able to do that and if I am able to lift that trophy, it will mean the world to me.”

Coco Gauff is a doubles champion! The American and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova have defeated Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani to win the French Open women’s doubles title. It’s Siniakova eighth doubles title at the grand slams.

More heartbreak for the Italian Paolini, who was beaten in the singles final by Iga Swiatek yesterday. Gauff, the US Open champion in singles, now adds a doubles title to the 20-year-old’s impressive resume.

Gauff usually plays doubles with American partner Jessica Pegula, but the World No 5 had to withdraw from the French Open due to injury. Gauff and Siniakova have proved to be a dream pairing. Siniakova hads a third French Open women’s titles.

On Friday, Alexander Zverev reached an out-of-court settlement with his former girlfriend, who accused the German tennis star of strangling her during an argument in May 2020.

According to reports in Germany, the settlement includes a monetary condition of 200,000 euros. The discontinuation of the trial does not constitute a finding of guilt or an admission of guilt, a statement from Zverev’s lawyers said.

“The process against Alexander Zverev was shelved today by the court with the agreement of the prosecutor’s office and Ms Brenda Patea,” a statement from the World No 4’s defence team said, hours before his French Open semi-final against Casper Ruud.

“Alexander Zverev agreed to this in order to shorten the process especially in the interest of the child they have together. Alexander Zverev remains innocent.”

According to the court, 150,000 euros of Zverev’s fine will go to the state with the other 50,000 euros going to charity, with both Zverev and Patea agreeing to stop the trial.

The opening set of the women’s doubles final goes the way of Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova, who edge the first-set tiebreak against Jasmine Paolini and Sara Erranil. The American-Czech pair have the break of serve in the second set, too.

R1: vs Rafael Nadal - 6-3 7-6 6-3

R2: vs David Goffin - 7-6 6-2 6-2

R3: vs Tallon Griekspoor (26) - 3-6 6-3 6-2 4-6 7-6

R4: vs Holger Rune (13) - 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 6-2

QFs: vs Alex de Minaur (11) - 6-4 7-6 6-4

SFs: vs Casper Ruud (7) - 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2

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As Carlos Alcaraz advanced into his first French Open final, the 21-year-old broke into a wide smile. He had beaten rival Jannik Sinner in five sets, overturning a rocky start to outlast the player who will be turning world No 1 on Monday. Alcaraz’s victory, 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 in four hours and nine minutes, was not the classic that was expected between the two finest players of their generation, but it was a victory to display the vast amount of experience the Spaniard has already accumulated on these stages, acquiring the physical and mental tools to progress.

“You have to find the joy in suffering, that’s the key, even more on clay in Roland Garros,” Alcaraz grinned. “Long rallies, four-hour matches, five sets, you have to suffer. But you have to enjoy suffering.” He is now the youngest player in tennis history to reach grand slam finals on all three surfaces, after winning the US Open and Wimbledon. Unlike the 22-year-old Sinner, this was not his first time in a French Open semi-final. While Sinner struggled with cramps, stretching out his hand and arm due to “tension” in the third set, Alcaraz had been there before.