Djokovic Wins Showdown With Nadal to Play Murray in Roland Garros Semis

June 3, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

It was probably the most anticipated match of 2015, as world number one Novak Djokovic took on the greatest player ever on clay, Rafael Nadal, in the French Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. Nadal entered the match with a 70-1 career record on the courts of Roland Garros, but ran into the man who is currently far and above the best player in the world.

He showed that early, breaking twice on Nadal’s first two service games to build a 4-0 advantage. But Nadal responded right away, breaking Djokovic twice as well, and evening the opening set at 4-4.

But Djokovic regained his form, and would go on to win the set 7-5. From there, he really took it to Nadal. He would rattle off 12 of the next 16 games to seemingly put an end to the Rafael Nadal era at Roland Garros.

The win was the 27th consecutive for Djokovic in 2015, as he continues his quest for the calendar Grand Slam, having already captured the Australian Open earlier this year.

He converted on four break point chances and hit 31 winners to get past Nadal in straight sets.

“My tactic was to play aggressively and to stay focused on all points,” said Djokovic. “It’s not easy. Probably easier to say than do against Rafa.”

Many people watching and discussing this match declared this as the end of the Nadal era at the French Open, but the nine-time French Open champion doesn’t think so.

“I lost in 2009, and it was not the end,” Nadal said. “I lost in 2015, and it is not the end.”

Up next for Djokovic in the semifinals is a familiar opponent, third-seeded Andy Murray, who moved past seventh-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6(4), 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

The Scot remained undefeated on clay this season, which includes titles in Munich and Madrid.

He gets another chance at Djokovic, who beat him in the Australian Open final earlier this year, as well as in Miami and Indian Wells.

“He has improved on clay, no doubt about it. I watched him a little bit in Madrid,” Djokovic said of Murray. “Here he’s been playing some really good tennis. He’s moving better, serving very well, and he always had a good touch.”

The other semifinal in Paris will see the eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka take on the home-favorite, 14th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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