Uzair Rizvi BeyondHeadlines
It’s surely going to be an Epic Friday. All the top four seeds –Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will play the Semis in the French Open. It’s only the 12th time in the Grand Slam history, the last time being in 2006 in the same event.
FEDERER vs DJOKOVIC
Sixteen times major champion Roger Federer is ready to face a similar face which has troubled in the recent past, his new arch rival, Serbian, Novak Djokovic in the semi finals of the French Open 2011,his third appearance in last four at French Open.
The World no.3 Federer advanced by beating Gael Monfils of France,6-4, 6-3, 7-6 , making it five straight wins in this Grand Slam. Whereas the current World no.2 Novak Djokovic eased into the semis as his quarterfinal opponent had to withdraw because of leg injury.
Tennis legend Federer is in such a league of extra-ordinary men that he does not need to prove his mettle anymore. With numerous titles under his belt, this Swiss is going to be remembered for centuries to come.
A victory for Djokovic, will see him replace Rafael Nadal as World no.1 while he would also equal John McEnroe’s record of 42 matches unbeaten at the start of the season. Djokovic has already bagged seven ATP titles, including the prestigious Australian Open twice.
The Swiss master possesses a 13-9 win loss record over the mighty Serbian, but has tasted defeats on last three encounters, including one at the Australian Open. The former world champion has sunk a bit and is determined to make amends and climb back to the top position.
Federer has one French Open title in his long kitty of trophies with a Roland Garros championship win in 2009,both have struggled on the clay court .Their last meeting on the clay soil was one in 2009 at the Rome Masters where the Serb prevailed over his Swiss counterpart.
With both sides stacked so strongly, it is difficult to pick a winner, but with kind of form the Djokovic is in, he may have edge past in this great battle.
NADAL vs MURRAY
British no.1 and World no.4 Andy Murray made it to his first French Open semi final as he fought hard against Argentine’s Juan Chela ,7-6, 7-5, 6-2 to set up a clash against the King of Clay, the World no.1 Rafael Nadal.Earlier, Nadal made a progress by overpowering Robin Soderling 6-4 , 6-1 , 7-6 .
The World no.1 Nadal is the undisputed Champion at the clay court with 42 wins and 1 loss at the Roland Garros. He is a winner of nine grand slams with five French Open titles, this record itself speaks for this great legend.
Murray has fought like warrior overcoming his ankle injury which he sustained earlier in the tournament. He will try to become only the second man to defeat the Spaniard on Philip Chatrier court. It’s his first French Open semi-final. Andy has never won a Grand Slam, but has been runner up in three Grand Slams, one earlier this year where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Australian Open.
History is against Murray who has lost on all previous meeting against Nadal on clay. He has a 4-10 win loss record against the world no.1.the last encounter was at the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo 2011 masters where Rafa prevailed in three sets.
Nadal for sure will be looking for his sixth French open final whereas Murray will be keen to ignore his injury and will look forward to repulse it strongly as he has shown plenty of fighting spirit on a slow surface which he does not favour. The wounded Briton is a fierce competitor and has the talent and skills. All he needs now is a Grand Slam win to prove to the world that he is a formidable top 4.
The Spaniard clearly believes that he controls his own destiny and is no new to this type of pressure situations. He is a fighter who works hard till the last serve of the match.
It goes without saying that one should not miss the Nadal vs. Murray game, which will have loud grunts and exults. The toughest and the fittest will win this physical torturing battle.
