Djokovic vs Nadal - eye to eye for final

Wawrinka appeared on court painted for war wearing sun screen on his nose, despite the heat in Paris only peaking at a mild 20 degrees. He came ready to go the distance and push Rafa Nadal to the limit, but it wasn't to be.

Nadal, who had served first in his first three matches of the tournament, due to his opponents winning the coin toss, chose for the second straight day to return, by far his best weapon.

The Spaniard stuck to the script from the first game. Wawrinka seemed lost as Nadal broke his service. The weight of 19 lost sets in nine defeats against the same opponents proved too much.

Wawrinka, usually so calm and composed, took his frustration out on his racket and the clay at the Philippe Chatrier in the seventh game in which Nadal was dominating 5-1 and had his first two chances to win the set. Cue boos from the stands and a warning from the umpire for the Swiss player.

Nadal's victory by 6-2, 6-3 and 6-1 seals his place in his eighth semi-final appearance at the French Open. His only setback, back in 2009 against Söderling in the last 16 is long forgotten. The Spaniard's reputation is such that even Hollywood stars of the calibre of DiCaprio turn up to watch him.

Nadal could beat a number of records in Paris. If he lifts the title at Roland Garros – nobody has ever won a Grand Slam that many times – he will become the player to have won the most matches at the French Open, overtaking both Guillermo Vilas and Federer.


/Marca.Com/