Roland Garros Semi-Finals Preview

In semi-final action at Roland Garros on Friday, defending champion Stan Wawrinka will try to hit through No. 2 seed Andy Murray while top seed Novak Djokovic, who is now two matches away from completing a career Grand Slam, will take on Dominic Thiem.

Murray comes into the semi-finals with an 8-7 edge in his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Wawrinka, but the Swiss has won their past three tour-level meetings dating back to 2013. While Murray is playing the best clay-court tennis of his career, beating Djokovic in the Rome final on the eve of Roland Garros, he has yet to win a set against Wawrinka on clay. Murray is bidding to become the first Brit since Bunny Austin in 1937 to reach the final. Wawrinka could become the oldest man since Niki Pilic in 1973 to reach the final.

Djokovic, who holds a 2-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Thiem, is looking to reach his 20^th Grand Slam final. Djokovic has yet to drop a set against the Austrian, but they have never faced off on clay. Both players have been productive in 2016, leading the ATP World Tour in match wins – 42 for Djokovic and 41 for Thiem. Djokovic cruised to a straight-set win against Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, while Thiem, who will enter the Emirates ATP Rankings Top 10 on Monday, saw off David Goffin after losing the first set.

Former Champions Vying For Doubles Final Berth

Defending champions Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo will take on Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez for a spot in the doubles final. Lopez/Lopez saved six match points in their quarter-final win over 2014 winners Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Dodig/Melo are looking to become the first team to repeat as champions since Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor (2011-12).

Also in contention are two-time champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan (2003 & 2013). The Americans, last year’s runners-up, are looking to reach the final for a seventh time. They’ll play ninth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Alexander Peya.

Paes Looking To Cement Legacy In Mixed Doubles

Leander Paes, who will partner Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles final against No. 2 seeds Sania Mirza and Dodig, is bidding to become the third player in the Open Era with a career Grand Slam in both men’s and mixed doubles (Woodbridge & Woodforde). A title would make him and Hingis the second mixed doubles team in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam (Riessen/Court). Paes already owns the Open Era male record with 9 mixed doubles titles.