Djokovic and Nadal Set For Showdown In French Open Semifinal

 

World number one, Novak Djokovic would face 13-time French Open winner, Rafael Nadal in the semifinal of the French Open.

This would be the second time both men are meeting in two months after Nadal defeated Djokovic in the final of the Italian Open in May. Both men also met at last year’s French Open final where Nadal defeated Djokovic in a game of three sets to claim his 13th win at Roland Garros. Now, both men would meet on Friday in what would be a very competitive game.

Djokovic beat Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 on Wednesday to qualify for the round of four. The match was briefly suspended after spectators protested against the 11PM curfew. Both players had to finish the last round in the absence of spectators. Spaniard Nadal made it to the semifinal after defeating Diego Schwartzman 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-0. Schwartzman was a bit hard but the veteran player was able to bring his all, winning with a flawless fourth round.

Nadal has enjoyed success in Roland Garros like no other player, since his first French Open title in 2005. His mastery of the clay court is also evident in other clay court tournaments. His victory against Schwartzman was his 105th win in 107 matches in Roland Garros. Such a record does not come by chance. Djokovic has only won the French Open once, back in 2016, and as he chases his 19th Grand Slam, one can expect that he would bring his all in his game against Nadal on Friday.

In the other set, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas would face Alexander Zverev in the semifinal. Both men are currently aiming for their first Grand Slam title. The fact that the winner of their match would face either Nadal or Djokovic just casts a bit of doubt to their mission for a Grand Slam. Either ways, there is no way of knowing how things would pan out until Sunday, June 13.

On the women’s side, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will face 85 Tamara Zidansek on Thursday in the first female semifinal, while Barbora Krejcikova, who defeated teenager Coco Gauff, would face Maria Sakkari. All four women would be competing in their first semifinal at Roland Garros.

 

Written by: Leon Osamor