Djokovic sets up last-four clash with Tsitsipas
PARIS: World No.1 Novak Djokovic reached his 10th French Open semi-final but suffered an injury scare before beating Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 here on Wednesday.
A month after being defaulted for inadvertently striking a line judge with a ball while playing Spaniard Carreno Busta in the US Open, the Serb found himself in trouble once again. This time it was nothing more sinister than apparent physical problems, with the top seed wearing tape on the back of his neck and requiring treatment on his upper arm.
Carreno Busta took advantage to win the opening set, the first conceded by Djokovic in the tournament. The Serb looked flat and had to save break points early in the second set before raising his game at important moments to win the next two sets.
One break in the fourth set was enough for the 33-year-old to set up a last-four clash with Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Serb’s 38th Grand Slam semi-final. Meanwhile, Polish teenager Iga Swiatek became the youngest player to reach the French Open women’s singles final in 19 years when she crushed Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday.
Swiatek had too much poise and power for World No. 131 Podoroska, who was looking to become the first qualifier to reach a final at a Grand Slam in either the men’s or women’s singles draws.