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
What a missed fh
looks like sacha going to take this first set. he took mini break back and his own now. no more TB Pl
So much drama!
How many set points will he waste!
Hereâs another
Yesss!
Amazing he took that tie break
Suddenly raised his level
Oh that was a torture. I think Rafa was tentative today. Great he wont the set.Hopefully should free him now.
Oh mine! Thanks God, Rafa wins the TB and the first set, what a drama!
Rafa! This is so unbelievable, so unreal! I thought Rafa was going to lose the set when he went down 2-5 in the TB, what a turnaround! Vamos!
He did it! That was too close for comfort! That shot to win the tiebreak was unreal!
Rafa has to be more aggressive now
No second set let down please Rafa!
This is the reason why we Rafans must be some kind of lunatics! One has to live through the sets like this and stay sane đ this is nerve breaking!
Great from Rafa to win the first set!
Vamossss Champ!
Rafa is a MONSTER!!! Winning that TB trailing 6:2!!!! Only Rafa can do that and against a serve that is Zverevâs!!! Now Rafa can open his wings and fly!!! VAMOS!!
This humidity is hard for Rafa
Yes!! Saw him playing and it looked like he literally fell in a pool!!!! Itâs crazy, he probably needs to change!
However, VAMOS!!
That freaking forehand DTL!
Rafa breaks
Now hold
Ffs!
I am really angry he lost his serve up 40 love
Thatâs y I HATE early breaks!!!! It just doesnât make sense if u canât hold!!!
Zverev making a lot of errors at net
I think Rafa is really feeling the humidity
Really needs some excellent first serves
Yeah, but he must be feeling very deflated!! So his focus is not sharp, Rafa breaks again! Hope he hold on form there!! He needs to stop letting Zverev into the match! He should have been 4:0 by now!