French Open: Nadal in semifinals
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Associated Press
PARIS ó Rafael Nadal’s French Open quarterfinal began more than 11/2 hours after Novak Djokovic’s did Tuesday. Which is why, after wrapping up a three-set victory, Djokovic figured his coach could head over and check out some of Nadal’s match.
So much for a fresh scouting report ahead of Friday’s semifinals.
Turns out Nadal was only moments away from winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 against Nicolas Almagro, the most lopsided men’s quarterfinal at Roland Garros in the 40-year history of the Open era. Almagro’s no slouch, by the way: He was seeded 19th and has won more matches on clay than anyone else this season.
“I told my coach ó I think it was 6-1, 6-1, 5-1 ó I told him, ‘Look! Go! Go fast! See one game! Try to catch at least a game and see how it goes,”‘ Djokovic said. “‘Maybe he’ll play some bad shots.”‘
Not a chance. Hard as it is to believe, Nadal is playing more relentlessly than ever, treating each point ó no, each and every stroke ó as though the outcome hangs in the balance.
He’s now 26-0 at the French Open for his career, two victories away from becoming the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1978-81 to win the clay-court major championship four consecutive times.
Nadal has dropped a total of 25 games, the fewest ever lost through five full matches by a Grand Slam semifinalist in the Open era.
Djokovic beat 80th-ranked Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-5 to become only the fourth man since 1968 to reach five consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. He also earned the right to face Nadal, who is 113-2 on clay since April 2005.
A berth in Sunday’s final ó and Nadal’s No. 2 ranking ó will be on the line.