Djokovic confident he will recover to his best for Paris semi

Novak Djokovic is optimistic he will be able to recover physically ahead of his French Open tennis semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Having looked supreme through the first four rounds, the world No 1 was in trouble against Pablo Carreno Busta in Wednesday ’s quarterfinal, struggling with his neck and arm before battling through in four sets.

Tsitsipas has improved through the tournament, not dropping a set since his opening match, when he fought back from two sets down against Jaume Munar.

Djokovic spoke highly of the Greek, who will play in a grand slam semi-final for the second time, saying: “He’s one of the best players in the world. Deservedly where he is in the rankings.

“He’s been playing the best tennis of his life really in the last 12 months, winning World Tour Finals, just being very consistent on all surfaces with his results.”

Djokovic has only won four of his previous nine semi- finals at Roland Garros and has not made the final since his sole title on the Parisian clay in 2016.

T sit sip as, who is bidding to become the youngest male grand slam finalist since Juan Martin Del Potro 11 years ago, is expecting to face a fully-fit opponent.

He said: “An injury is not going to play (a part in) anything. I have to play the way I have to play. I’m approaching that match with the same intensity and the same focus that I’ve been doing the last few matches.”

The other semi- final will pit 12-time champion Rafael Nadal against Argentina’ s Diego Schwartzman, who beat the Spaniard for the first time in 10 meetings in Rome three weeks ago.

History is still heavily in favour of Nadal, who is yet to drop a set this tournament, extending his win- loss record at Roland Garros to a ridiculous 98-2.

He has also won all 12 of his previous semifinal sat the French Open.

Sofia Kenin will bid for her second grand slam title of 2020 after beating Petra Kvitova to reach the French Open final.

The 21-year-old was a surprise winner of the Australian Open in January but has already shown that was no fluke with her run here.

She played a hugely intelligent match to defeat seventh seed Kvitova 6-4 7-5 and will take on 19-year-old Iga Swiatek – who reached her first grand slam final with a dominant 6-2 6-1 win over Nadia Podoroska – in the trophy decider tomorrow.

Briton Alfie Hewett reached his sixth grand slam singles final with a 7- 6 (5) 7-5 victory over defending champion Gustavo Fernandez in the wheelchair singles.

In the final he will take on Belgian Jo ac him Gerard.

Novak Djokovic has won only one Paris title – in 2016.