Speed Post News Network
Patna : Eleven time champion and World No 3 Rafael Nadal, 33, Spain, and 2009 champion and World No 3 Roger Federer, 37, Switzerland, reached the semi-finals of French Open on June 4, 2019, night, though in contrasting styles. Nadal demolished World No 7 Kei Nishikori,29, Japan, in a one-sided match 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the quarter-finals while Federer beat 2015 champion and World No 28 Stan Wawrinka, 34, Switzerland, in a fierce four-set match 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Nadal was all over Nishikori in the first two sets breaking his service five times. Nishikori, however, broke Nadal’s service in the first game of the 3rd set only to be broken back in the next game. Nadal again broke Nishikori’s service in the 4th game of third set and finished the set quickly. Nadal now leads Nishikori 11-2.
Federer, however, had to endure a tough battle to edge past Wawrinka in the QFs. Although Wawrinka lost the match in four-sets he gave Federer a run for his money in the match. Both the players won 2 break points each. They also won 3 games each in a row. Wawrinka won 108 service points to 105 by Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. Wawrinka fired 8 Aces in the match to 5 by Federer. Federer now leads Wawrinka 23-3 head to head.
Both the quarter-finals matches were suspended for sometimes due to risk of thunderstorm.