Nadal rolls past Federer into French Open final

PARIS • Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the French Open semifinals on Friday in their first meeting at Roland Garros since 2011.

No. 2 seed Nadal now has beaten No. 3 seed Federer six times in the French Open and improved to 92-2 on the famed clay courts.

“It’s always a tough match against Roger,” Nadal said. “It was tough conditions with the wind. I’m happy to have the chance to play another final here. It’s the most important tournament in my career.”

Nadal will be looking for his 12th title in 12 French Open finals and his 18th Grand Slam title overall.

Nadal awaits the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem. Their match was called because of bad weather and will resume Saturday. Thiem was leading 6-2, 3-6, 3-1.

Meanwhile, American teenager Amanda Anisimova’s run came to an end after a semifinal loss to Australian Ashleigh Barty.

The 17- year- old, who stunned French Open defending champion Simona Halep 6-2, 6- 4 on Thursday, had become the youngest American woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since the 1997 U. S. Open, when Venus Williams reached the final. But Barty, the highest-seeded player remaining at No. 8, recovered after losing the first set to win 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3.

In the final, Barty will face another teen in unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova, 19, who beat No. 26 seed Johanna Konta of Britain 7- 5, 7- 6 ( 2) in the other semifinal.

In other action, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and her Croatian partner, Mate Pavic, lost the mixed doubles final in straight sets.

And No. 1 ranked Leylah Annie Fernandez, of Montreal, moved into the juniors women’s singles final, where she’ll face American Emma Navarro.