French Open 2023 results: Casper Ruud sets up semi-final with Alexander Zverev by beating Holger Run

Zverev, spurred on by the crowd chanting his nickname 'Sascha', was pushed hard by unheralded world number 49 Etcheverry but eventually prevailed after three hours and 25 minutes.

After the pair embraced warmly at the net, Zverev let out a huge roar in celebration at securing a sixth Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

"As I have said before, last year was the most difficult year of my life," Zverev said.

"I love tennis with all my heart, I love the competitiveness and that was taken away exactly one year ago.

"I'm so happy to be back on this stage and have the opportunity to play for a Roland Garros title again."

Twelve months ago, Zverev was pushing Nadal to the absolute limit - their two semi-final sets taking more than three hours combined - before the fall that forced him to retire from the match and cost him virtually the rest of the 2022 season.

He faced a tough task against Etcheverry, with the world number 49 not dropping a set on his way to a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final appearance.

Zverev started strongly, breaking the 23-year-old's serve in the seventh game of the first set and then saving two immediate break-back points before serving it out.

Etcheverry fought back impressively, breaking Zverev's serve twice on his way to levelling the match and the momentum looked to be swinging in the South American's favour when he broke in the opening game of set three.

However, Zverev battled back from 0-2 down to win five consecutive games to take the third, before edging a tight fourth set to progress.

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