Rafael Nadal has reached the French Open final for the 12th time in his career after a straight-sets victory over Roger Federer. He won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
The King of Clay has never lost in 22 appearances in the semi-finals and beyond at Roland Garros and is chasing a remarkable 12th title in Paris.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was difficult to play in the wind. But I am back in the final of the tournament which is most important to me. It is very beautiful for me to play another final here. It is always a tough match against Roger and we had tough conditions today. Roland Garros is the most important tournament to me.
It is incredible to play Roger here. Congratulations to him – it is incredible he is playing at this level at 37. He is probably the best player in history – it was a pleasure to play against him today.
He will face either Dominic Thiem or Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.
More to come…
Rafael Nadal (SPA) and Roger Federer (SUI) during the Semi Final of Roland Garros on June 7, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
epa07632390 Rafael Nadal of Spain plays Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men’s semi final match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 07 June 2019. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France.. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: A general view as Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
A ballgirl passes a towel to Spain’s Rafael Nadal as he plays against Switzerland’s Roger Federer during their men’s singles semi-final match on day 13 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 7, 2019. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes off her sweatband during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain shields himself from the clay kicking up in the wind during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain shields himself from the clay kicking up in the wind during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain shields himself from the clay kicking up in the wind during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland in the mens singles semi-final during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain as clay and dust kicks up off of the court during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland walk back to their benches in the mens singles semi-final during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he plays against Switzerland’s Roger Federer during their men’s singles semi-final match on day 13 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 7, 2019. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the first set during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland embrace at the net after their mens singles semi-final match during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain takes off her sweatband during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
epa07632881 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning against Roger Federer of Switzerland their men’s semi final match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 07 June 2019. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was converted to black and white) Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was converted to black and white) Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his mens singles semi-final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during Day thirteen of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Thiem’s semifinal will resume on Saturday so we won’t know until then who Rafa will face on Sunday. Rafa will be ready to claim his 12th at Roland-Garros and his 18th overall.
Rafa is moving beautifully and his first serve percent was 82 vs Roger. I love what he’s doing.
RAFA ROCKS
I’m laughing of them who dreamed that Federer was going to win against THE BOSS …. Silly people without a brain doesn’t accept the reality ! Rafa is the real GOAT
Congratulations to Rafa and his team for this win and the work they all did to overcome his despondency after countless injuries. Rafa is in his element and may he continue to thrive.
My heart is bursting with joy for Rafa’s 12th semifinal win at his beloved Roland-Garros.
As I had hoped, he has a full day to rest before he faces his final challenge at the FO 2019.
Rafa overcame not only Roger but Mother Nature herself. What a CHAMPION!
RAFAMAZING AMAZES
Number #12 and#18 are coming on Sunday
Vamos Rafa
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️