Djokovic is almost 29:28 in the lead, but Nadal has won seven of the eight matches in Roland Garros – including last year’s final 6: 0 6: 2 7: 5 sensationally clear. Also this year in Rome the “clay court king” was the stronger in the 7: 5 1: 6 6: 3 victory in the final. Should Djokovic prevail, however, then he would also be the favorite in the final for his second Paris title after 2016. At that time, Nadal had to give up earlier in the tournament due to injury.
“Let’s be honest, it’s the biggest challenge you can have to play against Nadal on clay on this court. It couldn’t be bigger. There is particular tension and expectations, ”said Djokovic Nadal after his 6: 3 6: 2 6: 7 (5/7) 7: 5 victory in the quarter-finals against the Italian Matteo Berrettini. “The vibes are different when you go out on the pitch with him. But that’s why our rivalry is, I think, historical for this sport. “
Dream duel in the French Open semifinals
In the semi-finals of the French Open in Paris, number one seeded Serb Novak Djokovic will face Spanish “clay court king” Rafael Nadal on Friday. The clear favorite is Nadal, who is aiming for his 14th title in Paris.
Paris balance pushes Nadal in the role of favorite
Nadal is and remains the favorite: he only lost twice at the Stade Roland Garros: in 2009 against the Swede Robin Söderling and in 2015 against Djokovic. His record stands at an unbelievable 105 wins in 107 games. In the quarter-finals against the Argentinian Diego Schwartzman (6: 3 4: 6 6: 4 6: 0) Nadal gave his first set in the course of the tournament.
“Against him it’s always a big challenge,” said Nadal about the hit against Djokovic. “That’s good because we live our sport for these moments. The bad thing is, it’s hard because you have to play one of the best in history. “
Incidentally, with his 14th triumph in Paris, the 35-year-old would win his 21st Grand Slam title in total, thus trumping Swiss Roger Federer and being the sole record holder. The 34-year-old Djokovic is going on his 19th major title. The 39-year-old Federer had ended the tournament prematurely after his third round victory in view of the lawn season with the climax Wimbledon.
Zverev against Tsitsipas as a duel of the “young wild ones”
While two of the “Big Three” deliver the gigantic meeting, two of the “young wild ones” can fight for their first French Open final in the shade (live on ORF Sport + from 2:50 pm). US Open finalist Alexander Zverev or Stefanos Tsitsipas will challenge Nadal or Djokovic on Sunday. The ranking made it possible for the youngsters to meet one of the tennis legends in the final.
Someone who would also have had this chance has to watch from afar: Dominic Thiem unexpectedly failed in the first round after leading the 2-0 set against Spaniard Pablo Andujar. The Austrian world number four loses ground in the ranking on Monday and is fifth at best. If Zverev beats Tsitsipas, not only will the currently fifth-placed Greek overtake him, but also the sixth-placed German, and Thiem would no longer be in the top five.
By the way, both the 24-year-old Zverev and the 22-year-old Tsitsipas do not yet have a Grand Slam title on their account. So whether there will be a new major winner this year in Roland Garros for the men – as for the women – is open until Sunday.
French Open in Paris
(France, 34.37 million euros, sand)
