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2019 French Open, Men's singles semi-final Philippe-Chatrier Court, Roland Garros Roger Federer (Switzerland) vs Rafael Nadal (Spain) |
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Roger Federer will aim to make his return to the clay court the ultimate success when he takes on the king of the red stuff, Rafael Nadal, in the French Open semi-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:50pm (AEST).
The pair have played 15 clay court matches over the year, and Federer has won just two of them. Maybe the greatest head-to-head rivalry of the modern era hasn’t been close for the most part on clay courts, and Nadal has dominated for more than a decade at Roland Garros.
It’s a match-up without equal, and one we have seen so many times before, but it’s going to take something special from Federer, who hasn’t played the clay court season for a number of years as he attempted to look after his body during the twilight of his career.
If he is going to get the better of Nadal, as he did during a tough four-set quarter-final against countryman Stan Wawrinka, he is going to need to get on the front foot and be aggressive. Whether that’s mixing up his style of play or just outright power, Federer needs to pull every trick out of the book just to win one set, let alone three of them.
The problem is that Nadal is a fantastic mover, and reads the game better than almost any player on tough. The extra time available to him on the slow clay courts give him a mountain of time to be able to position, defend, and then play the point exactly how he wants.
There is no option for Federer – he must find a way to unsettle and throw Nadal off that rhythm and monotonous grind from the back of the court.
As you’d expect from Nadal, he has played a staggeringly good tournament. There were questions over him in the lead-up, but he has dropped just a single set to David Goffin in the third round, and with a three-day break, will be fresh enough to play the exact game he wants.
Unfortunately, we may get some rain during the match, but that could suit Federer if he is able to have a break from the physicality, which Nadal will undoutbedly have on display again.
Prediction
Federer has been in good touch, but it’s just impossible to not tip Nadal on clay. His record speaks for itself, and while he will probably drop a set due to the class of the Fed Express, it’ll be the Spaniard going to yet another Roland Garros final.
Nadal in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first semi-final at the French Open from 8:50pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 8:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Philippe-Chatrier Court, Roland Garros, Paris, France
TV: Live, Fox Sports, SBS
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo sports
Betting: Nadal $1.11, Federer $6
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll wrap up The Roar's live coverage of the first semi-final, but it's certainly not all we have for you this evening. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. We will now flick over and have the call of Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem. Join me for that one.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal will take on the winner of Thiem and Djokovic, which will start in about half an hour.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Unbelievable. No one will ever come close to matching him on clay.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, RAFAEL NADAL Well, a brilliant performance from Nadal is complete. He has just rolled right over the top of Federer in a staggering performance. The king of clay is into his 12th Roland Garros final. Federer.... 3 4 2 Nadal....... 6 6 6
Neel
Roar Guru
Nadal on clay court is just in another league. Greatest clay court player ever and it’s amazing that he is still in the Top 5 after all these years.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer saves one and just keeps this match going for another minute. Nadal sends a forehand long. Federer.... 3 4 2 - 30 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve, and Federer sends the backhand return long. Two match points. Federer.... 3 4 2 - 15 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now puts a ball wide. Federer.... 3 4 2 - 15 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer now with a backhand into the net as he tried to hit an approach shot., Total points won, 100 to 77, tells the story. Federer.... 3 4 2 - 0 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal serving for the match and a spot in the final. He goes out wide, and Federer returns, then answers the back in behind ball, but not the one up the opposite sideline. Federer.... 3 4 2 - 0 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Federer. Nadal returns, Federer comes forward and digs out a backhand volley to hold serve. Federer.... 3 4 2 - Nadal....... 6 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault. Federer.... 3 4 1 - 40 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer now goes back in behind on the forehand and Nadal sends it wide. Federer.... 3 4 1 - 40 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kick second serve here, and Nadal rips a forehand return to the open side of the court. Winner. Federer.... 3 4 1 - 30 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now with a regulation forehand into the net. Federer.... 3 4 1 - 30 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer serving to stay in the tournament. He faults, then goes out wide. Returned on the backhand, then Nadal sends an inside out forehand wide. Federer.... 3 4 1 - 15 Nadal....... 6 6 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer now looks to rip a short angled backhand across the court, but that goes wide. Nadal is a game away from a 12th French Open final. Federer.... 3 4 1 - Nadal....... 6 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Nadal. Federer then gets into the rally, only to put an off balance forehand wide down the sideline. Federer.... 3 4 1 - Nadal....... 6 6 4 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer with a lovely drop shot this time as he gets up to the baseline, and Nadal can't get it back into play. Federer.... 3 4 1 - Nadal....... 6 6 4 - deuce (1)