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Rafael Nadal rekindles tennis’ greatest rivalry when he faces Roger Federer in the Roland Garros semi-finals on Friday, admitting his status as overwhelming favourite ignores the “trouble” he could face from the rejuvenated Swiss. Defending champion Nadal is chasing a 12th title on the crushed red brick of Paris where he has lost just twice in 93 matches. Five of those wins have come against Federer, including four finals. Federer, the champion in 2009, is playing the French Open for the first time in four years. Furthermore, the 37-year-old has only beaten Nadal twice on clay, with his most recent win coming 10 years ago at altitude in Madrid. In the other men’s singles semi-final, Novak Djokovic takes on Dominic Thiem. Thursday’s victory over Zverev was a 26th consecutive one in Grand Slam action for Djokovic, and it will take a mammoth effort to end that run. The man tasked next with stopping him is Austrian Dominic Thiem who, at world number four, is ranked one place higher than Thursday’s victim. Thiem was himself ruthless, dispatching Russian Karen Khachanov 6-2 6-4 6-2. Johanna Konta became the first British woman in 36 years to reach the semi-finals by sweeping past seventh-seeded Sloane Stephens, last year’s runner-up, 6-1, 6-4 to set up a tie against Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova. The 28-year-old Konta had not won a match at Roland Garros in any of her previous four visits. But now she has emulated Jo Durie who was the last British woman to make the French Open semi-finals in 1983. The 19-year-old Vondrousova battled past Croatian 31st Petra Martic 7-6 (7/1), 7-5. “She had beaten me four times before but I think Roland Garros must be my lucky place,” said the Czech after securing victory on a fourth match point. 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova stunned defending champion Simona Halep to set up a semi-final clash against Ashleigh Barty. With her crafty style, full of slices, topspin, dropshots and net approaches, the 23-year-old Australian Barty drove Madison Keys to despair at times in a 6-3 7-5 win to advance to her first Grand Slam semi-final With inputs from Agencies.
Match Highlights, French Open 2019 Semis: Dominic Thiem up by break in third set, all play suspended due to rain
Rafael Nadal rekindles tennis’ greatest rivalry when he faces Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals on Friday, admitting his status as overwhelming favourite ignores the “trouble” he could face from the rejuvenated Swiss
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Djokovic-Thiem to resume tomorrow before women’s singles final
Djokovic and Thiem will resume their semi-final clash at 3.30 pm IST before the women’s singles final between Ash Barty and Marketa Vondrousova.
That’s it from us for today. Join us tomorrow for coverage of the French Open tomorrow.
Play has been cancelled for today!
In a bizarre turn of events, play has been cancelled for today. Bizarre because the sun is shining brightly and there’s still a couple of hours of daylight remaining.
Still no play
It has been 30 minutes now since the scheduled restart time but still no word on if play would resume.
Still no play
20 minutes gone but still no word on when the match will resume.
The covers are on and we will have to wait for at least 15 minutes.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 6-3, 1-3*
Djokovic rushes into a drop shot and misses to bring up a break point for Thiem. He, or rather, the ball saves the break point for him as it barely bounces for Thiem. The Austrian brings up another break point with a clean backhand winner down the line. He uses his forehand to deadly use and finally gets the break. It starts to drizzle immediately after the game and Djokovic rushes to take cover. Thiem follows reluctantly.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 6-3, *1-2
Thiem finishes an easy hold with a crunching forehand down the line. Simply sublime from the Austrian.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 6-3, 1-1*
Thiem gets to break point with a delightful drop shot. Djokovic saves it with some good defence. A missed smash sees him lose a game point but he remains in control of his serve to hld.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 6-3, *0-1
Thiem begins the third set with a solid hold to love.
Novak Djokovic wins the second set 6-3 against Dominic Thiem!
Djokovic fires down two aces on his way to winning the second set and levelling the match at 1-1. The small rain break has definitely helped the World No 1 as he has looked a much better player. He is calmer and is less irritated by the conditions he is playing in. This bad news for Thiem who was dominating the Serb before the break.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, *5-3
Thiem has started to wobble a bit. He overcooks his forehand to lose the first point. He wins the next one after Djokovic nets his forehand. The Serbian struggles with his footwork on the next rally but win the point with a putaway at the net. He gets a double breakpoint with a well-directed forehand which Thiem can’t return. Djokovic gets the break and will now serve to win the second set and level the match.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 4-3*
Djokovic advances to the net and wins the first point with a strong volley to Thiem’s backhand. He then brings out a delicate drop shot and wins the third point in a row after Thiem nets his slice. He gets a love-hold with a pinpoint backhand winner right on the corner.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, *3-3
The small break seems to have helped Djokovic as he comes back from 30-0 down to 40-40. But Thiem manages to get the hold.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 3-2*
The rain has started to come down heavily forcing the players off the court mid-game with Thiem leading 0-30. Nice break for Djokovic to regroup.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 3-2*
Djokovic responds with a love-hold of his own.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, *2-2
Thiem plays a quick-fire love-hold.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 2-1*
Thiem gets a double break point but loses one trying to lob Djokovic. Djokovic opts for the serve and volley and is rewarded as he gets to deuce. Djokovic gets a gamepoint but Thiem brings the score back to deuce with a volley from the net. Djokovic soldiers on to get a difficult hold.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, *1-1
Djokovic looks like he’s finally able to adjust here as he takes two points off Thiem’s serve as the Austrian holds.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-6, 1-0*
Djokovic holds to love but he’s clearly not happy with the windy conditions.
Dominic Thiem wins the first set 6-2 against Novak Djokovic!
Djokovic has a word with the match referee regarding the playing conditions. The referee shrugs a lot which, I think, means that there is nothing he can do about it. Thiem is already up and ready to begin his service game. He takes less than two minutes to power through his serve as he hold to love to claim the first set. Djokovic needs to adapt quickly or it’s curtains on his dreams of completing Nole Slam 2.0.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-5*
Djokovic sends a volley wide from the net and immediately a gust of wind blows up dust in his face. His serve is delayed on the second point due to some more wind and dust and he ends up volleying wide once again. Thiem sees that Djokovic is missing from the net so he starts to take the pace off the ball to draw the Serbian in and it pays dividends as Djokovic is broken to love. Thiem has adapted well to the terrible conditions at Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic vs Thiem *2-4
Another easy hold for Thiem there. Djokovic has not been able to find a foothold on Thiem’s serve.
Djokovic vs Thiem 2-3*
Thiem is matching Djokovic shot for shot here. At 15-0 he plays a delicate drop shot which Djokovic, uncharacteristically, hits well wide. He is finding it difficult to serve with the wind in his face but ends up getting the hold.
Djokovic vs Thiem *1-3
It has started raining a bit stronger now with the spectators putting their umbrellas and ponchos. The two players take shelter but the rain subsides enough for them to resume play. Thiem has found it easier to adapt to the conditions than Djokovic as he wraps up the hold to love.
Djokovic vs Thiem 1-2*
Thiem hits a hammer of a backhand to win a 14-shot rally to get a double break point and he converts at the first time of asking. It’s an early break for the Austrian!
Djokovic vs Thiem *1-1
Thiem gets a comfortable hold to get on the scoreboard.
Djokovic vs Thiem 1-0*
Djokovic begins proceedings with a quick love-hold.
Djokovic vs Thiem *0-0
Ready? Play!
Novak Djokovic vs Dominic Thiem
Thiem, chasing his maiden Grand Slam crown, has dropped only three sets en route to a fourth straight Paris semi-final.
The 25-year-old has added aggression to his game in recent months which has earned him title triumphs in Indian Wells and Barcelona this season.
Road to SF
1st round: beat Paul 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2
2nd round: beat Bublik 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5
3rd round: beat Cuevas 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
4th round: beat Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
Quarter-finals: beat Khachanov 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
Novak Djokovic vs Dominic Thiem
A year ago, Djokovic was still fighting to rediscover his form and fitness. Fast forward 12 months and he could be on the verge of holding all four Grand Slams for the second time in his career.
Heading into Paris, the Serb lifted the Madrid Open title before finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Rome.
Road to SF
1st round: beat Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
2nd round: beat Laaksonen 6-1, 6-4, 6-3
3rd round: beat Caruso 6-3, 6-3, 6-3
4th round: beat Struff 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Quarter-finals: beat Zverev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2
Novak Djokovic vs Dominic Thiem
The problem for Thiem is that his story, while a heart-warming and inspiring one, pales in comparison to what Djokovic is trying to accomplish. The Serb is on the verge of a second Nole Slam, and it is unlikely that Thiem’s power or persistence will stop him in his quest.
Read Musab Abid’s preview of the semi-final showdown here .
Time for the second semi-final!
Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic are all set to take centre stage at Court Philippe Chatrier for their semi-finals!
Roger Federer exits the French Open to a well-desered standing ovation.
Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach 12th Roland Garros final!
The King of Clay marches on into his 12th French Open final with a crushing win over rival Roger Federer. Nadal didn’t put a foot wrong today and gets his 24th win over Federer in 39 meetings. The 37-year-old Swiss maestro had a very good return to the clay at Roland Garros after three years away from it. He dropped only a single set on his way to the semi-final but was undone against the undisputed Master of clay.
Federer vs Nadal 3-6, 4-6, 2-5*
Federer vs Nadal 3-6, 4-6, 2-5*
Federer digs an unbelievable point off the dirt to win his second game of the set and delay the inevitable by one more game.
Federer vs Nadal 3-6, 4-6, *1-5
Nadal holds and is one game away from reaching the finals.
Federer vs Nadal 3-6, 4-6, 1-4*