French Open: Rafael Nadal aims to move step closer to 14th title against Alexander Zverev

RAFAEL Nadal will aim to reach a 14th French Open final on his 36th birthday on Friday - although it remains to be seen whether it could be his last.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion - a record 13-time winner in Paris - meets German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in Sunday’s showpiece.

But the Spaniard is yet to find a “solution” to his chronic foot injury.

“The last three months and a half, for me, the only thing that I can say is they haven’t been easy,” Nadal said.

“If we are not able to find an improvement or a small solu tion, then it’s becoming super difficult for me. So that’s it,” added the world number five, whose encounter with Zverev is scheduled to start at 13:45 BST.

“It’s not the moment to talk about [what happens after the French Open]. We are going to talk about that when my tournament finishes.” Nadal overcame defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set and four- hour encounter in Tuesday’s night session.

His 110th win at Roland Gar ros leaves him two victories away from moving another title clear of 20-time major winners Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Despite winning the Australi an Open in January after return ing from the foot problem that he feared may end his career, it is clear the injury is still causing issues.

“I am just enjoying every day that I have the chance to be here, and without thinking much about what can happen in the future,” Nadal said.

“Of course I’m going to keep fighting to find a solution, but for the moment, we haven’t.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen after here.”