WAWRINKA IN WAY OF NADAL’S RECORD BID
Paris, June 10: Ninetime champion Rafael Nadal powered into a record 10th French Open final on Friday and will face 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka for the title after the Swiss outdueled Andy Murray in a five-set epic.
Nadal demolished Austrian pretender and sixth seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to return to the final at Roland Garros for the first time since the last of his nine titles in 2014.
Wawrinka became the oldest finalist in Paris in 44 years with a thrilling 67 (6/8), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 61 win over world number one Murray.
“I’ve played a very good event, played well in all the matches and today was no exception,” said Nadal, who has lost just 29 games in reaching Sunday’s championship match.
“I started a bit more nervous, but then I played well. “It’s true that Dominic played with more mistakes than usual today, but it was windy.”
Nadal is bidding to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam and leads the head-to-head with Wawrinka 15-3.
“I always say the same but it’s true. Nine or 10, it’s only 10 percent more. It’s true 10 is a beautiful number, nine is my favourite, but if I win it will become 10.”
However, he will be mindful of another upset after the Swiss stunned an injury-hit Nadal three years ago to claim the Australian Open crown.
“I have been playing a great event. But Stan is playing unbelievable,” said Nadal, who despite his imposing record has split the past six meetings with Wawrinka.
“It will be a super hard final and I will need to play at my very best.”
Nadal withstood a shaky start before reeling off four games in succession to subdue Thiem, who was looking to be just the second Austrian finalist at a Slam after 1995 French Open winner Thomas Muster.
Thiem is the only player to defeat Nadal on clay this season, but he barely gave rival a sniff and conceded nine points in chastening final set.