This is what Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic wanted. It’s what they
expected. And now they’ll meet in a French Open final with so much at
stake for both.
Nadal is seeking championship No. 9 at Roland
Garros, and his 14th major title overall. Djokovic is hoping to finally
conquer the French Open and complete a career Grand Slam. Fittingly,
whoever wins the rivals’ 42nd head-to-head meeting Sunday will be ranked
No. 1 on Monday; the runner-up will be No. 2.
“He has the motivation to win
Roland Garros for the first time, for sure. But at the same time, he
has the pressure to win for the first time,” Nadal said. “I have the
pressure that I want to win — and the motivation that I want to win —
the ninth.”
In Friday’s semifinals, the No. 1-seeded Nadal was at
his imperious, and nearly immaculate, best in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory
over Wimbledon champion Andy Murray that lasted all of 100 minutes.
Nadal never faced a break point, converted all six he earned, and
whipped his uppercut of a forehand as only he can.
Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, called the match “one of the best that he has ever played here.”
That’s
sure saying something. Toni’s nephew is 65-1 at the clay-court
tournament and carries a 34-match winning streak into the final.
The
thick, grey clouds and chill that became a staple these two weeks gave
way to sunshine and warmth Friday, and Nadal reveled in it.
“For
me, is much better when the weather is like today,” he said. “My ball
creates more topspin. The ball goes quicker in the air, and with my
forehand I am able to create more with less.”
All in all, Nadal made Murray look rather lost.
“You want to be competitive. You want to make it hard for him,” Murray said. “I wasn’t able to do that.”
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/novak-djokovic-works-his-way-back-into-french-open-final-by-beating-gulbis/article19040506/
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