Final showdown for Nadal, Thiem

RAFAEL Nadal will play for an 11th French Open title after he cruised to a 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory over Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday.

The 10-time champion was in full control as del Potro wilted under the relentless pressure of his whipping trademark forehand.

Spain’s Nadal will meet Dominic Thiem in tomorrow’s final. The Austrian earned a place in his first grand slam final with a 7-5 7-6 (12-10) 6-1 victory over Italy’s Marco Cecchinato.

‘‘My feeling is on Sunday I have a very difficult match against a player that is playing great,’’ said Nadal, who has won six times out of nine matches against Thiem, including in the semifinals of the previous French Open.

‘‘I know I have to play my best if I want to have chances. The motivation to play here always is high, [as] high as possible. I’m going to play with my highest passion and love for the game, and for the sport, to try to have success.’’

Nadal has lost at the French Open only twice in his career and will be strong favourite to claim the title. However, Thiem is the only man to beat him on clay this season – in a Madrid quarterfinal – and also triumphed in a Rome meeting last year.

‘‘I have to play that way like I did in Rome and in Madrid,’’ Thiem said. ‘‘But I’m also aware that here it’s tougher. He likes the conditions more here than in Madrid, for sure. Best of five is also different story.’’

Del Potro pulled up with a hip complaint as he trailed 2-1 in the first set against Nadal, but despite clear discomfort, he fought on and made it a dogged affair until surrendering a break that gave the world No 1 an advantage.

The famous Nadal forehand was charged up to its full unforgiving force in the second set as it racked up point after point to earn a double break at 4-0 before del Potro yielded with a lacklustre return that landed long.

The man who now stands in his way of a Nadal, Thiem, overcame a tough opening against Cecchinato.

He resisted fight backs from the world No 72, who is aiming for a place in the world’s top 20 after his remarkable run.

Thiem saved three set points in the second before winning an epic tie-break, something for which Cecchinato has become notable this year.

‘‘The big key was the second set, it was a close tie-break and if I lost it, I didn’t want that because it would be a tough match,’’ Thiem said.

The Italian’s seed-stopping streak came to an end in the third set against Thiem after 2hr 17min. - DPA