
PARIS AFP: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, with 36 Grand Slam titles between them, are both just a win away from creating more tennis history at Roland Garros.
Djokovic is chasing a second Roland Garros title and 18th Grand Slam to become the first man in half a century to win all four majors twice. It’s such a rare achievement that only Don Budge and Rod Laver have managed it in the history of the sport.
The world number one has four titles in 2020, carved out from 36 wins and just one loss - his now infamous default at the US Open.
However, is the pressure beginning to tell? He dropped his first set of the tournament in his win over Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter-finals and required treatment on his neck and shoulders. Nadal, the 12-time champion, arrived in Paris writing off his chances of equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
He remains cautious over his chances at a tournament being played in the cold and chill of autumn rather than its traditional May-June slot and after finishing his quarter-final against Jannik Sinner at 01:30 on Wednesday morning, he said it was “dangerous for the body with these very heavy conditions”.
Nadal’s late night was mostly caused by Schwartzman needing more than five hours to defeat US Open champion and third seed Dominic Thiem in five sets to reach his maiden semi-final at the majors. By contrast, Nadal is in his 34th.
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Nadal’s woes in ‘step forward’
![]() Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after entering the final of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on October 9, 2020. (Photo AFP)
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Rafael Nadal said his French Open semi-final win over Diego Schwartzman on Friday was his best match of the tournament but stressed he still needs to improve if he is to capture a record-extending 13th Roland Garros title.
The 34-year-old Nadal saw off a dogged Schwartzman 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) to leave him one victory away from equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slams.
The Spaniard will meet world number one Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s championship match.
“I’m in a final, I haven’t lost a set, although it’s true there have been other times at Roland Garros where I have felt better,” said Nadal.
“The conditions are not perfect for my style nor for my impact on the ball, so it means a lot to be where I am.”
Nadal registered his 99th win in Paris since his 2005 debut, losing lost just twice in 16 appearances. A wrist injury forced him to withdraw from the 2016 edition.