Rafael Nadal is one win away from his 11th French Open championship after earning a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 semifinal victory over Juan Martin del Potro on Friday at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. He beat the Argentine in just over two hours.
Rafa was in full control as Del Potro wilted under the relentless pressure of his whipping trademark forehand. Del Potro pulled up with a hip complaint as he trailed 2-1 in the first set, but despite clear discomfort he fought on to complete the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
After the match, Rafa said:
The first set was very difficult. Juan Martin had a lot of opportunities and I was a little bit lucky to win it. It’s incredible to play here. I feel very fortunate to play in front of this crowd. Without working hard and without going through tough moments and without still being focused on your passion of the game, it is impossible to be here. Still being here is something I never dreamed about.
Dominic Thiem is an amazing player. He beat me in Madrid this year and he has great power. I have to play my best. I have to improve a little bit. I believe I can be ready for that final. It’s going to be a tough one but I will fight all the way.
Rafa will face off with Austrian seventh seed Dominic Thiem on Sunday for the trophy. He has never fallen in a Roland Garros final. The left-hander is a perfect 10-0.
Source: AAP
One win away for the 11th🏆, don’t let Thiem intimidate you. You can do it and beat him, Vamos and focus 💪💪💪 win win win good luck on sunday!
🍀🎾🍀🎾🍀🎾💥💥💥
Even though Thiem is playing with confidence and brute determination, Rafa must remain confident and patient. He needs to play intelligently (drop shots at the right times, etc….) and aggressively. Serve well, and don’t worry about the power and winners that Thiem makes. 3 out of 5 sets and stamina. Let’s pray that the weather/court conditions are favorable for Rafa.
Rafa how so well done.
All the best for the final,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Rafa had no trouble defeating Del Potro in straight sets and I am overjoyed.However I could not help feeling a bit sorry for Del Potro – he has had so many set backs from injury and has had to fight back so many times. However he will go from no. 5 to no.4 on Monday and I am sure that will console him.
Rafa of course has had his own injury troubles over the years and he has fought back to be no. 1 for the 5th time.
A truly outstanding achievement for a fantastic sportsman and a gentleman through and through.
Thiem seems to be playing really well and this final will be tough.
I hope Moya can help Rafa settle his nerves and convince him that the 11th French Open title is his. !!
Soooo happy😃
Please,Rafa…be very focused on Sunday. First set win is a must against Thiem. You know he is dangerous and goid,but nobody is like you.You are in different category by yourself. Remember who you are in though moments on Sunday and do what you do the best…fight. Vamos
Wow… Amazing that Rafa has won all the finals at FO. INCREDIBLE!
BUT on Sunday, Thiem will put an end to all that.
Yea right, I’m just kidding. Just like last year, after Thiem beat Rafa in Rome and there was talk of him upsetting Rafa at the FO, what happened? Steamrolling!
On Sunday it should be no different. Thiem will have his chances after Rafa retires in 3 years. On Sunday though, it will be like candy from a baby!
I surely hope so! Don’t make me sorry for talking trash Rafa!
Hello my hero, sooo happy you won!!!
Hope and pray for a win on Sunday. You said it – you’ll need to be super aggressive from the first ball. It’s normal to be nervous but don’t lose faith in yourself. Thiem is going to try and make you run from side to side and come at you with everything but if you dictate from the beginning then you’ll be ok.
Anyway it’s always such a super feeling when you win. You’ll always be my champ, my hero! You are a joy to watch!
Wish you a good rest and all the luck in the world for Sunday!!!
🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀😘😘
VAMOS
Soooooooo bloomin happy right now! Well done Rafa…I have every faith in you for Sundays final, Have a positive re group and rest. You are my hero, and win or lose, you always will be.XXXX
Yeah !!! He is soooooo great !!!! Vamos for the final !!!
Man, you are theChamp! You deserved it, hands up!!!
so happy for you Rafa – you are the best ever in my 70 years. You have made such a tremendous come back from your injuries. So proud of you. Good luck Sunday. Giant hugs to you. You always give me so much pleasure watching you. VAMOS RAFA.
Enhorabuena!!!! Eres lo mejor d lo mejor…no hay quien t iguale…..suerte para mñn y por el once….SIEMPRE CONTIGO!!!!!!!
Rafa congratulations vamosssssssssssssssss champ this is your French Open on Sunday 🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Gosh! Rafa has so much passion, even after winning 10 French Opens. That’s so admirable! A really dominant performance from Rafa. I heard Delpo’s on court interview after beating Cilic and he didn’t seem confident about overcoming Rafa and this showed increasingly as the match wore on. Thiem is a different proposition. He has all the weapons for clay and will try to slog his way to victory from the first point to the last. Be on your guard Rafa and show him that you’re the boss. Good luck in the final, champ!
I can only say Vamos Vamos Vamos. No there is one hurdle left, and I believe it’s gonna be the toughest one yet. But it MUST be taken.
Great match after a tough first set. Take rest and than all the best for sunday. Go for #11. YOU CAN DO IT. Vamos Rafa <3
This is Rafa ❤️Lucky Roland Garros fans😍
Congrats Rafa for the win . Brilliant display by him against a tough opponent. It was close for the first 9 games but once Rafa saved those break points at 5-4 , he broke del potro’s confidence. After that it was smooth sailing. Onto your 11th final ! ( OMGGGGG ) n another tough opponent waiting in. But we believe in you. Keep rocking.
Vamosss for final
*at 4-4
What an absolutely fantastic result Rafa, every good wish & good luck for the final on Sunday, much love xx
Wiiii!! 😃👏🏻 Congrats Rafa Champ and all the best of luck in the finals ❤️🍀🏆
VAMOOS RAFA! 🎾💪🏼😍
Rafa is RAFANTASTIC, RAFAMARVELOUS, RAFASTUPENDOUS.
RAFA ROCKS
An 11th Roland-Garros FINAL. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY.
RAFA ROCKS
Well done Rafa – an 11th final. What a proud moment. That match was easier than I thought it would be. Would have preferred more of a challenge at this stage but I know there have been challenges a plenty over the last fortnight. The right result on Sunday would make my day. Its not yet time for anyone else to take this crown.
Yes Susie it is still Rafa time at Roland Garros. I hope he is as aggressive to Thiem as he was to Del Potro. Thiem will fight for his life to prove that he is superior to Rafa. So Rafa should fight equally to preserve his crown.
Wamos Rafa you are the best.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BRILLIANT SWIFT VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 MAGIC SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 VERY FUN EXCITING MATCH AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : 0 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 HAVE A LOVELY EVENING & ENJOY CELEBRATING YOUR EXTRAORDINARY TENNIS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) HAVE ABEAUTIFUL EVENING SWEETHEART & SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BRAVO & CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX