Defending champion Rafael Nadal is closing in on a 14th Roland Garros final as he prepares to face Novak Djokovic in Friday’s semifinals.
It is a repeat of last year’s final which Rafa won 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win a fourth consecutive French Open title. Rafa has won seven of eight matches against the Serb at Roland Garros, with the only loss coming in the 2015 quarterfinals.
Date: June 11, 2021
Match Time: Not before 5:30 PM local time / 11:30 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 4:30 PM BST – United Kingdom / 5:30 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / misnight AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
It will be the 58th installment of one of the great rivalries in tennis history, with Nole currently leading the head-to-head series 29-28. Rafa is 5-0 in their last four clay-court encounters.
Rafa on playing Nole:
“Always a big challenge. That’s something that is good because in some way we are practising, we are living the sport for these moments. So that’s a good thing. The negative thing, it’s difficult because you play against one of the best players of the history. That’s how it is.
“We know each other well. Everybody knows that in these kind of matches, anything can happen. The player who is playing better that day is the player that going to have better chances, no?”
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Too much pushing from nadal instead of getting into shape by dominating. Like in the Schwartzman match. Nadal might have had a sore ankle but if he cannot attack he is finished. So sad now I will have to root for Thisipas.
Djokovic is just too solid and he’s kept calm throughout the whole match. I’ve turned it off now ‘cos i’m thoroyghly deflated
It’s getting real now.
One game at a time Rafa!
Well it’s not looking good… Just remember Rafa can’t lose… He’s won so many times that he will still be the king of RG.!
Thank you Ziggy!🙏 You are right.👍
Djokovic is full of self belief now. Rafa needs to snuff it out.
Oh Rafa… Is it too much to ask for you to consolidate a break of serve?
he is serving so unbelievably bad 7 double fauls
There, champ!
Breaking to start the 4th set is just what the Dr. ordered.
Now protect your serve and do what you do best on this court champ!!
Nadal just lost the match I dont see him coming back. Djokovic has now the mental advantage. I can not believe rafa lost the tiebreak due to unbelievable error
Glass half empty much??
Let’s believe in our champ. He’s fighting out there for us you know?
It’s not over until it’s over. Let’s believe in him until the bitter or sweet end.
It’s ain’t over ’til it’s over, Marijnt. Rafa will fight until the bitter end.
Same khawartaimore, I can’t watch it too. Having difficulty breathing
Rafa, just regroup and think straight sets in best of 3 now. You can’t afford any slip ups.
Ugh what a mess of a set.
Best to commit it to memory and start the 4th set with a winning frame of mind.
Rafa was not at his best and yet he took to the tiebreak, a set he should probably have lost 6-3. What a fighter our champ is!
Now he needs to unleash his entire arsenal on Djokovic. Come on champ you can do it!!
I was going to say that I’m glad they’ve got a dispensation from the curfew, but maybe the break would have helped.
They’re letting the fans stay until the end!!
Aw come on Rafa, what’s with that free point??? Come on Champ!!
I Can’t believe we got to this tiebreak but here we are.
Stay solid Rafa!!
I can’t believe how I managed to stay alive watching this match!!! 😅😅 Barely breathing!
Come on Champion take him to the cleaners
I think it’s the match here😭😭😭😭
😭😭 I had to turn my TV off. I refused to watch NJ’s celebration.
With you win or lose Rafa❤️
HAHAHA
So I go take a shower, I come back and Rafa is still on serve at break point?
Okay!!
Break point saved, then an Ace, and our Champ is back in front. OKAY!!
I need some vitamin C:)
🤣🤣
Good luck Lorna, Mac n Margo for the rest of match…I think I can’t watch any more
3rd set gone
Please don’t get broken now
There!!
Rafa Breaks!!
Gonna take a shower instead of watching him serve now…
Saved 2 break points again
N finally Rafa has Upper hand in third set after A long time…..phewwwwww
Come on Rafa Take this game
If Rafa wins this set it would be at par of his 4th set against nole in Aus open 12
Lifeline! Now go for it.
Tie breaker it is
Rafa seemed to increase the power in his shots in that 9th game.
Regardless of whether there is a 5th set, Rafa needs to go up another level or else he’s heading home early.
Rafa never seized to amaze me as he increased his level to deny him second set… Vamos
Djokovic looks like a man who can’t believe his own luck. He knows he can’t hold a candle to Rafa on this court and yet here he is about to go 2 sets to 1 up on Rafa.
Rafa needs to process this information.
🤬If I had a racket I would smash it!..Not watching iRafa better get it together on the 4 set!
Yea Rafa does need a reset. He’s his own worst nightmare out there now.
He is coming back Mac
Can’t watch any more. Too much stress