Rafael Nadal reaching the French Open semifinals was never in doubt. It was all up to Roger Federer to add another chapter to their historic rivalry.
Despite being tested for this first time this fortnight, Federer made it happen by battling past fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. The 37-year-old converted a mere two of 18 break points, but clutch play in the two tiebreakers and at the end of the fourth set allowed him to prevail after three hours and 35 minutes.
In his first appearance at Roland Garros since 2015, Federer is through to his first semifinal of the tournament since 2012. This is his first trip to a slam semi since winning the 2018 Australian Open.
“I’m very happy, number one, to be back in another semifinals of a Grand Slam,” he assured. “It hasn’t happened, you know, in the last year or so. I had some tough losses in fourth rounds or quarters. So from that standpoint, I exceeded my expectations here. After missing the French for so many years, it’s nice to be back in the semis. That’s a great feeling.”
Unlike for Federer, a French Open semifinal berth–and much, much more–is commonplace for Nadal. Like Federer, Nadal surrendered one set through five matches (to David Goffin in the third round).
As expected, the Spaniard did not come close to losing one on Tuesday. Going up against an opponent who was coming off two consecutive five-setters an has never been a bastion of physical health, Nadal destroyed Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 51 minutes.
The 11-time French Open champion broke Nishikori an incredible seven times in 11 return games.
“Probably, yes,” Nadal admitted when asked if he had an edge physically over the Japanese world No. 7. “I won two days ago (in a) straight-sets match. And Kei played much more tennis than me during the event. That’s the real thing.
“Personally, for me, the main thing is being in the semifinal,” he said after being questioned about facing Federer. “The way that I have been playing [has] been, being honest, very positive. I have been playing well; very solid–winning good matches against tough opponents like today. I am happy with that.”
Nadal was, however, wiling to discuss the upcoming showdown.
“Of course after having Roger in front in the semifinals is an extra thing. We shared the most important moments of our careers together on court facing each other. So (it) is another episode of this, and (I’m) happy for that. And excited, no? (It) will be special moment.”
“For me to get to Rafa [was] not simple,” Federer reflected. “It took five matches here for me to win to get there.
“That’s why I’m very happy to play Rafa, because if you want to do or achieve something on the clay, inevitably, at some stage, you will go through Rafa–because he’s that strong and he will be there. I knew that when I signed up for the clay that hopefully that’s gonna happen.”
It didn’t happen in Madrid and it didn’t happen in Rome. But what’s happening now? It is happening.
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