Both Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev probably feel like they should already be in the French Open final. One of them, however, will be ousted in the semis on Friday afternoon.
Nadal needed five sets to get past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round, after which he outlasted world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) on Tuesday night. That quarterfinal contest between the two all-time greats lasted four hours and 12 minutes. Fortunately for Nadal, he has two full days off prior to the semis and his first three matches–against Jordan Thompson, Corentin Moutet, and Botic van de Zandschulp–were walks in the park.
Zverev was one point away from being bounced out in the second round. The third-ranked German came back from the brink of defeat to beat Sebastian Baez 2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-5. Zverev also got the best of Sebastian Ofner, Brandon Nakashima, and Bernabe Zapata Miralles to reach the last 16, where he upset Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7) on Tuesday.
Needless to say, it has not been easy for either man.
But they have made it to semifinal Friday, and their reward is a 10th career head-to-head meeting. Nadal holds a 6-3 lead in the series, including 4-1 on clay. They faced each other twice last spring on the red stuff, with Zverev pulling off a 6-4, 6-4 upset in Madrid before Nadal–playing in far more favorable conditions–gained revenge in the form of a 6-3, 6-4 victory at the Madrid Masters.
Conditions should be back in the 35-year-old’s favor on Friday. His quarterfinal showdown against Djokovic was played late at night, but the first semifinal between Nadal and Zverev is scheduled for 2:45 pm local. That’s much better for the Spaniard’s game, even though–let’s be honest–it hardly matters what the situation is whenever he takes the court at Roland Garros. After all, Nadal is 110-3 lifetime at this tournament with 13 titles.
He can’t win No. 14 on Friday, but he can put himself in great position. And given his form throughout the fortnight and two day of rest following his hard-fought defeat of Djokovic, that is exactly what Nadal can be expected to do.
Pick: Nadal in 3
Rafa has not made a decision yet about wimby according to gennny.
As per stu Fraser
https://mobile.twitter.com/stu_fraser/status/1532784833537114114
Rafa rest for 2 weeks but please play wimby, if you pass first week, your chances are very high to win it all ..please rafa don’t skip wimby
I know wimby has no points but rafa is not playing for points or money at this stage of career
No Sasha, no Medvedev, no Novak till sf as rafa will be seeded 3…chances are bright …
Nah, this Wimby is one big ginormous asterisk to me!! Rafa should pass, thanks!!
You wanted one more wimby for him no .he shld play
So y did they suspend cilic and Rius”s match? If roof is closed y can’t they continue with match?!! But they were happy to continue with Rafa”s match till he dropped dead! I feel bad for Zverev but sad his injury saved Rafa from perhaps near collapse!
??? It’s still going on, but not for much longer. Cilic is about to serve down 2 sets to 1, and down 1-5 in the 4th.
??? It’s still going on, but not for much longer. Cilic is about to serve down 2 sets to 1, and down 1-5 in the 4th.
Pity about Zverev he really took it to Rafa and if not for all the double faults could well have won a set there. Rafa did play a couple brilliant points in the 1st set breaker as he always does on big points but Zverev had the chance on his first set point serving – then hit a cross court to Rafas forehand that barely reached the service line and thats not good enough.
I really enjoyed the coverage on Eurosport with everyone including Rafa saying Zverev had really stepped up , got his tactics spot on and is a future Slam winner . Real shame it had to end there- a bit of a relief for Rafa the match could have gone another couple hours.
Nice to see some respectful comments about Zverev from one or two posters on here also. And the embrace at the end .
The tough conditions?
Its tough for his opponent, too.
Ruud likes his topspin, too .