"Honestly, I went out to play as much as possible without emotions and thoughts and everything went my way. I am so happy to have won this match," Ruud said on Eurosport's broadcast.

Last year he lost to Rafael Nadal. Now he faces Novak Djokovic. They are the two greatest in tennis history with 22 Grand Slam titles. After two Grand Slam final losses, Ruud is now hoping to take the first Norwegian Grand Slam win.

"Hopefully it can be the third time lucky for me. It's going to be tough. They are the two of the greatest in history and Novak is trying to become the greatest. I get to do my best. Novak is aiming for his 23rd, me for my first. I hope it will be a good match, says Ruud.

Ruud stepped forward to two match balls on his own serve. Zverev saved the first but then Ruud whipped in a heavy forehand and decided. Smiling, he walked up to the net and thanked Zverev who did not reach the level at all to be able to upset the Norwegian world number four.

It was little Christmas Eve in Paris on Friday night. While Jakob Ingebrigtsen set a record for two miles, Ruud ground Zverev down on the gravel Philippe-Chatrier course at Roland Garros.