Djokovic sets up epic final clash with clay master Nadal
NOVAK DJOKOVIC will face Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open tomorrow after withstanding a spirited Stefanos Tsitsipas fightback at Roland Garros.
Djokovic looked to be easing to a relatively straightforward victory when he served for the match at 5-4 in the third set only for Tsitsipas to save a match point and turn the contest completely around.
But Djokovic, who showed no signs of the neck and arm problems that bothered him in his quarter-final win over Pablo Carreno Busta, did not panic and reasserted control in the decider to win 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-1 after three hours and 54 minutes.
Earlier, Nadal showed no sign of relinquishing his French Open crown as he suffocated Argentinian Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the semi-finals to move within one win of a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title.
The 34-year-old Nadal, now undefeated in 13 French Open semi-finals and set to face Djokovic for the 56th time, once again relied on his massive forehand to notch up his 10th win in 11 encounters with Schwartzman, who beat him at the Italian Open last month.
Record
Nadal, who advanced into the Paris final without dropping a set for the first time since 2017, will equal Roger Federer’s men’s singles record of winning 20 Majors if he triumphs tomorrow.
Schwartzman, the 12th seed, kept Nadal on court for over three hours but managed only 24 winners in the contest.
“With these conditions it’s very difficult, and it’s still incredible to be in the final again. Thanks to my team, my family. It’s a beautiful moment for me,” said Nadal, who has now progressed to the final without losing a set for the sixth time.
“I know with Diego it’s very difficult until the end. He’s one of the players who makes more (service) breaks on the tour.
“A few weeks ago, I lost in Rome so I expected a very tough match. I’m happy the way that I played.
“I think I have been improving and today has been a very positive match for me.”
All signs pointed to a tight encounter and a 14-minute opening game confirmed that Nadal would not have it easy in chillier conditions than usual, with the tournament having been postponed from its usual May-June spot amid the Covid-19 crisis.