Yep Nadal is in his groove now. When Schwartzman beat him in Rome it was only because Nadal was coming back, that week in Rome and the first week here at the French have him back to himself again.
The Djokovic/Tsitsipas match should be good. It will be interesting to see if Djokovic pulls any of his usual health shenanigan’s in this match.
Scrappy period from Nadal when he looked set to cruise home.
Djokovic and Thiem are the only two players that could have beaten Nadal at Roland Garros this year. Thiem had obviously punched himself out before he even got the chance.
You never really know what’s going on with Djokovic. He’s a slippery character. He did look a bit under the weather early stages of his quarter final. If he is genuinely a good bit short of 100%, he could easily tank this semi final. The Greek dude is a talented, mercurial sort of player and could be dangerous. Nadal would eat him for breakfast in a final though.
Back all square in the 3rd set at 4-4.
Nadal going through a lull at present.
Schwartzman really digging in but Nadal is making a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes.
Diego bossing the proceedings now. I predict a 4th set.
2 break points Diego here.
Nadal holds in a 12 minute game. Schwartzman now serves to stay in the game.
Unreal from Diego.
Tie break looks imminent.
Tie break it is.
Just in for the tie breaker. Little Diego having a shocker.
6 match points.
Nadal 13-0 in RG SFs.
Only dropped 3 sets in those 13 semi finals.
Barbara Schett has a lovely aggressive accent.
I’ll no doubt look a complete clown in just over two hours when he’s annihilated to the tune of 6 games but I’m going to tip Tsitsipas to cause an upset here and beat Djokovic.
There’s no doubting the capability of Tsitsipas beating Djokovic, particularly on clay but it’s whether he has the resolve for it.
This has the potential to be a cracker. Djokovic holds by saving 4 break points in the opening game.
If Tstisipas can keep up this level then we’re in for a treat.
Stunning from Djokovic.
Tsitsipas has started well but finds himself two games down.
Tsitsipas looks like he’s about to chuck it in now.
Novak won’t take long here.