Tonight could be a significant night for the small European country of Latvia, as their best ever player, Ernests Gulbis, looks to progress to his first – and his country’s first – Grand Slam final.
Join The Roar live from 8:30pm AEST for a live blog into the match.
Standing in his way is Novak Djokovic, a player who knows all about the pressure of delivering for his country.
Djokovic became the first player from Serbia to win a Grand Slam title.
His win at the 2008 Australian Open was the first by Serbia since they separated from Montenegro in 2006 and became a nation of their own.
Gulbis – in similar ways to Djokovic with Serbia – has been the trailblazer for Latvia.
He was the first player to compete in a Grand Slam under the flag of Latvia.
He was also the first player into the top 100, 50 and 20 from Latvia.
With his 6 ATP titles he is also the only player from Latvia with title wins in the ATP.
On Monday, regardless of the result tonight, he will be the first Latvian player in the top ten in the rankings.
To those who know him, and follow him, the form he has shown over the last two weeks has been no surprise.
To the rest of us, people would have stood up and said who in the world is this guy?
He is a player who has had the potential, but failed to deliver on the big stage.
A combination of attitude, lack of hard work, and a commitment to tennis has hindered the potential.
The turning point of his career was Delray Beach last year.
Outside of the top 100, and struggling to get into ATP events, Gulbis qualified for the event and won the title in the United States.
The title triggered his passion for tennis and he has climbed the rankings since, winning four titles along the way.
This included the title in Nice the week before the French Open.
Gulbis has been dominant in France this year.
He is undefeated in 3 tournaments – including Roland Garros – and has won 13 straight matches.
Gulbis has been the player of the tournament so far, both on the clay, and off it.
His interviews have gained attention, like they always do, but his tennis is also talking.
And it is talking in a big way.
His win against Federer in the 4th round was the best match at Roland Garros this year.
Federer played well, but Gulbis played better, and for parts of the match was the dominant player on the baseline.
He deserved to win against Federer and showed his devastating form against Berdych in the quarter finals, with a dominant straight sets win.
If he plays like he did against Federer then he can beat Djokovic tonight.
But Djokovic is at another level this year.
His record on clay this season – 13-1 – has been similar to the form he showed in 2011 when he went undefeated until the semi-final at Roland Garros..
He has only lost to Roger Federer at Monte Carlo but importantly defeated Rafael Nadal at Rome just before the event.
He has only lost 3 matches this year, with all of them coming against Swiss players.
Most experts have said he has his best chance to win the French Open this year.
With Nadal having shock losses on clay this year, and Djokovic winning the last encounter between the two, you almost have to agree with them.
He now knows what it takes to beat everyone on clay and came close to winning against Nadal at the 2012 French Open final when it went to five sets.
Djokovic in 2014 has cruised into the semi-finals and only lost one set to Marin Cilic in the 3rd round.
His preparation has been almost perfect for the clash with Gulbis.
He will know how dangerous the Latvian is and will be prepared for everything that is thrown at him.
The two have met five times in the ATP with Djokovic leading the ledger 4-1.
Gulbis’ only win came in Brisbane in 2009 when he defeated Novak in straight sets.
Included in those matches is their battle at the 2008 French Open which Djokovic won in three tight sets.
Tonight’s contest will be similar to the contest in 2008 when Djokovic won 7-5 7-6 7-5.
It will be close, tight, and it will go to at least four or five sets.
Djokovic is a big favourite with the bookies but this match is far closer than what they are predicting.
Gulbis can trouble Djokovic with his baseline play and I expect him to be on top at stages of the match.
Whether the occasion gets to Gulbis remains to be seen.
Whether Gulbis can control the play for long enough to capitalise will also be a crucial question in the match.
Djokovic is favourite and should win the match with the form he is in.
Don’t be surprised though if Gulbis defeats him or makes him earn his final spot at Roland Garros.
Djokovic to win in five sets.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
That is it from me on the live blog. Thanks for joining me in the match between Novak Djokovic and Ernests Gulbis.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Novak Djokovic is into the 2014 French Open final after a 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3 win over Ernests Gulbis. An interesting match full of momentum twists and turns. Gulbis had his chances in the first and the fourth set. Djokovic just had too much class and composure for the Latvian. He will face either Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal in the final.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic breaks and leads 5-3 in the fourth set. Gulbis led 30-15 in the game but lost the next three points. Djokovic will serve for a spot in the final. Can Gulbis break back?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic survives the northern end in the sun and leads 4-3 in the fourth set. Big game for Gulbis now. Needs to hold serve to stay in the match. Both players have struggled to hit winners in this set. Gulbis has 6 and Djokovic has 5.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A third straight love game as Gulbis levels at 3-3. Djokovic is back at the northern end where he has struggled on serve. Chance for Gulbis.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic also holds to love and leads 3-2 in the fourth set. This is turning into a fascinating match.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gulbis holds to love and levels at 2-2. It has been an incredible last five minutes. Djokovic looked home at 2-0 up. Now we look to be heading to a 5th set with the way Djokovic is hitting the ball.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic can't consolidate the break and is broken back immediately. He is struggling with the sun at the northern end of the court. Unforced errors also hurt him in the game. He smashed his racquet in anger after the loss of service and is the first out of the two to do so today. Gulbis still hasn't called a trainer either for the back complaint. Djokovic leads 2-1 but games are back on serve.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic takes full advantage of the back concern and breaks in the 2nd game of the fourth set. Unforced errors, directly from the back concern, hurt Gulbis dearly. Djokovic needs to consolidate the break now.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic holds in the 1st game of the fourth set. Gulbis' back is starting to trouble him though. He is starting to grimace with it and is holding it. No trainer has been called yet and he is continuing.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
STATS FOR THE THIRD SET: ACES: Gulbis 4 Djokovic 5 1ST SERVES IN: Gulbis 17/27 Djokovic 23/37 1ST SERVE POINTS WON: Gulbis 14/17, Djokovic 18/23 WINNERS: Gulbis 19 Djokovic 13 UNFORCED ERRORS: Gulbis 5 Djokovic 9 Gulbis hit more winners in the third set than in the first two sets combined. He had only 5 unforced errors compared with 28 in the first two sets. Complete turnaround in how he is hitting the ball. Can he continue this in the fourth set?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Ernests Gulbis takes the third set 6-3 and the match is back on in earnest. The Latvian was brilliant in the set and started hitting plenty of winners. Djokovic has a match on his hands if Gulbis continues like he did in the third set.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gulbis takes the momentum and breaks Djokovic. On his 6th break point for the match, the Latvian takes a 5-3 lead. He will serve for the third set.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gulbis holds to love and leads 4-3. The first time in the match he has won more than 3 games in the set. He has the momentum and needs to convert that into a set.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Two big first serves - with one that is actually out according to hawkeye - saves Djokovic as he holds serve. He levels at 3-3. Gulbis needs to hold serve here to stay in the match.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Djokovic has a game point but makes a loose shot that hits the net and goes out. This game becomes crucial in the context of the match.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gulbis has another break point chance but a loose forehand from the Latvian saves it. Djokovic fist pumps to the crowd as Gulbis makes the crucial mistake.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
A backhand winner gives Gulbis a fourth break point for the match. A long rally, and an unforced error to Gulbis, saves the break point for Djokovic. Back at deuce in the 6th game.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Crucial time in the third set. Djokovic races to a 40-0 lead but Gulbis fights back to level at deuce. Can the Latvian gain a break?
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gulbis holds serve to 15 and leads 3-2. Has looked comfortable so far on serve. Has won 12/17 points on serve so far in the set.