French Open 2021: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes on Barbora Krejcikova in final
A new Grand Slam singles champion will be crowned when Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes on Barbora Krejcikova in the French Open final.
A new Grand Slam singles champion will be crowned when Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes on Barbora Krejcikova in the French Open final.
Follow the key warm-up tournament to Wimbledon on BBC TV, Red Button, iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Watch the best shots as Britain’s Johanna Konta beats Belgium’s Alison van Uytvanck to reach her third semi-final at the Nottingham Open.
British number one and top seed Johanna Konta beats Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck to reach the Nottingham Open semi-finals.
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev has recovered from two-sets-to-love down against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in their Roland Garros semi-final on Friday. Contesting a deciding set, Zverev and Tsitsipas are level at 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in their eighth ATP Head2Head meeting (Tsitsipas leads 5-2).
Zverev, who recovered from 0-2 sets down against German qualifier Oscar Otte in the first round, has a 16-7 record in five-set matches. Tsitsipas is 5-4 in five set clashes.
Tsitsipas, who has an ATP Tour-leading 38 match wins this season, capitalised on early nerves from Zverev and bounced back from 0-3 down in the second set to win seven straight games. Zverev earned a lifeline in the third set and started to play his best tennis, as he did when he beat Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(3) in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC final in March. The German then won 20 of 24 service points in the fourth set.
The winner will challenge World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the 2016 champion, or 13-time titlist Rafael Nadal, who play their semi-final later today.
Follow Live Scores At RolandGarros.com
Tsitsipas, contesting his fourth major semi-final, was aggressive right from the start, capitalising on a nervous start from Zverev to win the first three games in 11 minutes. Ultimately, a backhand error gave Tsitsipas the 38-minute opener. Would Zverev respond? Only once in their past seven meetings had a player lost the first set and gone on to clinch victory (Tsitsipas in the 2018 Toronto quarter-finals).
An early break in the second set transformed Zverev, who started to strike his groundstrokes cleanly and move Tsitsipas around Court Philippe-Chatrier. The crowd became engaged, but Tsitsipas soon began to dictate having been let back into the match when Zverev struck consecutive backhands wide at 1-3. Further errors cost Zverev as Tsitsipas, quick to move onto the short ball, won the next six games — and 25 of 37 points.
Having been in total control, Tsitsipas gave Zverev a lifeline in the third set, when the Greek hooked a forehand wide to lose serve in the third game. While Tsitsipas won 15 of 18 points at the net through three sets, Zverev was more than happy to attack and had luck on his side when he framed a smash over the net as he served for the set.
Zverev carried the momentum in a serve-dominated fourth set by continuing to adjust his positioning on return. Tsitsipas became riled and couldn’t get a look-in on Zverev’s serve. From 4-3, 0/30 in the third set to a 5-3 lead in the fourth set, Zverev won 22 of 24 service points.
Who will win the high-pressure points in the blockbuster semi-final showdown at Roland Garros on Friday between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal? That could prove critical in deciding who reaches the final. And if their play in Paris leading into the last four carries into this clash, Djokovic might have the advantage.
The World No. 1 has played his best tennis this fortnight when facing break points and when trying to convert them. Entering this tournament, Djokovic had only saved 61.4 per cent of break points faced in 2021 according to Infosys ATP Stats. In Paris, he has saved 86.4 per cent of them, only losing his serve three times. Djokovic has converted 63 per cent of his break opportunities, which is better than his pre-Roland Garros season mark of 44.2 per cent.
2021 Roland Garros Stats (Until SFs)
| Player | Novak Djokovic | Rafael Nadal |
| Aces | 40 | 23 |
| Double Faults | 11 | 20 |
| 1st Serve Pts Won | 78.8% (268/340) | 79.5% (206/259) |
| 2nd Serve Pts Won | 57% (90/158) | 55.3% (89/161) |
| Return Pts Won | 45.1% (229/508) | 47.6% (205/431) |
| Break Pts Saved | 86.4% (19/22) | 50% (11/22) |
| Break Pts Converted | 63% (29/46) | 49.3% (33/67) |
| Net Pts Won | 69.7% (76/109) | 77.6% (59/76) |
| Winners | 192 | 165 |
| Unforced Errors | 122 | 134 |
| Time On Court | 12:34 | 11:46 |
| Sets Lost | 3 | 1 |
Statistics courtesy of Infosys Stats
Although Nadal has earned more service breaks through five matches (33-29), the Spaniard has only taken advantage of 49.3 per cent of his chances. In three of his matches, Djokovic has not dropped serve once.
However, Nadal has not been tested as thoroughly as Djokovic. The Spaniard saw his 36-set winning streak at Roland Garros come to an end in the second set of his quarter-final against Diego Schwartzman. But that was the only set he has lost in the tournament, while the Serbian has dropped three, and he trailed Lorenzo Musetti two sets to none in the fourth round. Only five of Nadal’s 16 sets have gone further than 6-3.
Djokovic has spent 48 more minutes on court than the 13-time champion, and he played Wednesday evening. Letting slip a third-set tie-break advantage against Matteo Berrettini and having to dig deep in a fourth set might prove costly should this semi-final go the distance.
Otherwise, very little has separated them statistically. When you strip aces and double faults from Djokovic and Nadal’s winner and unforced error counts, the top seed has played slightly cleaner tennis. Djokovic has hit 1.37 winners for every unforced error, while Nadal has struck 1.25 winners per unforced error. The Spaniard led the Serbian in that category through four matches, but Djokovic crushed 44 winners to just 19 unforced errors against Berrettini, tilting the ratios in his favour.
Nadal has the edge in net points won, making successful trips forward 77.6 per cent of the time in this tournament compared to 69.7 per cent for Djokovic. The third seed has also won slightly more return points overall 47.6 per cent to 45.1 per cent.
The most glaring stat of all heading into their 58th ATP Head2Head meeting is Nadal’s 7-1 record against Djokovic at Roland Garros. Will the Serbian’s break point supremacy help him flip that script?
Novak Djokovic will play one of his biggest matches of the season on Friday against Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals at Roland Garros. And as he prepared for that blockbuster clash on Thursday, the World No. 1 wore the jersey of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who this week was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
“MVP! MVP! This is for my friend Nikola Jokic, The Joker,” Djokovic said in a video. “Congratulations for your MVP, well deserved. Sending you big regards from Paris, Roland Garros. I’m carrying you today with me in practice and hopefully bringing you luck in the playoffs. All the best, my friend!”
Djokovic and Jokic are both Serbian. The tennis star has long supported countrymen who compete in other sports. The 18-time Grand Slam champion happens to love basketball, and he shot plenty of hoops during down time at both the Serbia Open and the Belgrade Open earlier this clay-court season.
“Nothing but the net!” the Serbian exclaimed during a one-on-one game. “Iso! Iso! Amazing. On fire. Luka Doncic against Nikola Jokic here.”
Roger Federer stepped out for his first practice of the grass-court season after arriving at the NOVENTI OPEN Thursday.
A 10-time winner of the event, Federer practised with Japan’s Kei Nishikori under the watchful eye of coach Ivan Ljubicic.
Federer, who withdrew from his scheduled fourth-round match against Matteo Berrettini at Roland Garros at the weekend, is preparing for his fourth tournament of the year. The 103-time title winner claimed the Halle crown when the tournament was last played in 2019.
The Swiss will have plenty of competition this year, with Top 10 trio Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev in the field.
Nice practice with @rogerfederer today in @ATPHalle?. https://t.co/uLBRtWCbow pic.twitter.com/yjpoIm35jf
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) June 10, 2021
Federer boasts 19 tour-level titles on grass and a 187-27 match record, for an Open-Era-leading winning percentage of 87.4% on the surface.
Explaining his decision to withdraw from Roland Garros, Federer last Sunday tweeted: “After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I will need to pull out of Roland Garros today. After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation, it’s important that I listen to my body and make sure I don’t push myself too quickly on my road to recovery. I am thrilled to have gotten three matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court.”
Playing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is unlike any challenge in sports. The Spaniard is as comfortable on Court Philippe-Chatrier as Michael Phelps is swimming in a pool. So dominant is the legendary lefty on the Parisian terre battue that winning a set against him has been a major accomplishment.
When Nadal lost a set against Top 10 stalwart Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals, that snapped the 13-time champion’s 36-set winning streak at Roland Garros. On most occasions, Nadal doesn’t just win at the clay-court major; he dominates opponents. Any time a foe dares take a set, he overwhelms them with a tsunami-like wave of unrelenting offence and seemingly impenetrable defence to completely shift the momentum and drown a player’s hopes.
That has helped Nadal win 23 6-0 sets in Paris. That is why he is a jaw-dropping 105-2 at this tournament. But on Friday, one of the two men who has defeated the 35-year-old, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, will step up to face the ultimate challenge in sports once again.
“I’m confident,” Djokovic said. “I believe I can win, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
As they are at every tournament at this stage of their careers, Djokovic and Nadal are chasing history this fortnight. Nadal can move ahead of Roger Federer on the all-time Grand Slam titles list by earning his 21st major crown. Djokovic can claw closer to Federer and Nadal with his 19th and become the first man in the Open Era to win all four majors twice. The winner of this semi-final will be the favourite in the championship match against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev.
This is a familiar hurdle for Djokovic, who likely would have lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires several times if not for the Spaniard. With a victory on Friday, the top seed will reach his sixth Roland Garros final, which would tie him for second all-time with Bjorn Borg.
But the 18-time Grand Slam champion knows how tough it will be to defeat Nadal. This will be their record 58th ATP Head2Head meeting, and their ninth clash at the clay-court major. Djokovic leads their epic rivalry 29-28, but trails at this event 1-7.
Most ATP Head2Head Meetings (Open Era)
| Players | # of Matches | Record |
| Djokovic vs. Nadal | 58* | Djokovic leads 29-28 |
| Djokovic vs. Federer | 50 | Djokovic leads 27-23 |
| Federer vs. Nadal | 40 | Nadal leads 24-16 |
| Connors vs. Lendl | 36 | Connors leads 23-13 |
| Djokovic vs. Murray | 36 | Djokovic leads 25-11 |
| Lendl vs. McEnroe | 36 | Lendl leads 21-15 |
The 34-year-old is an impressive 79-15 at Roland Garros, but nearly half of his losses have come against Nadal. The lefty has undoubtedly been his Paris nemesis. However, Nadal has also pushed Djokovic to greater heights. The Serbian enjoys rising to the occasion against Rafa, and he cherishes the opportunity to put his skills and resolve to the test.
“It’s not like any other match. Let’s face it, it’s the biggest challenge that you can have, playing on clay against Nadal on this court in which he has had so much success in his career,” Djokovic said. “In the final stages of a Grand Slam, it doesn’t get bigger than that.”
Playing each other almost makes things simpler. Both men know that if they do not bring their absolute best, they will likely lose.
“You need to play your best tennis. It’s a match that you know what you have to do if you really want to have chances to succeed and to keep going on the tournament,” Nadal said. “[It is] 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.”
Most Roland Garros Finals
| Player | # of Finals |
| Rafael Nadal | 13 |
| Bjorn Borg | 6 |
|
Novak Djokovic |
5 |
| Henri Cochet | 5 |
| Jaroslav Drobny | 5 |
| Roger Federer | 5 |
| Rene Lacoste | 5 |
| Ivan Lendl | 5 |
| Mats Wilander | 5 |
The last two times Djokovic and Nadal have clashed in a Grand Slam semi-final, they produced unforgettable matches. At Wimbledon in 2018, Djokovic, who was still fighting to find his top form following struggles with his right elbow, defeated Nadal 10-8 in the fifth set.
The major semi-final they contested before that, at Roland Garros in 2013, remains one of the most crushing losses of Djokovic’s career. Nadal had still only tasted defeat once in Paris, and that came against Robin Soderling in 2009. Djokovic was World No. 1 and the Spaniard World No. 4. It seemed the Serbian would finally find a way to beat Rafa in his domain. But with the top seed serving at 4-3, 40/40 in a tension-filled fifth set, he inexplicably ran into the net while moving forward to put away an easy forehand volley. The Spaniard eventually won 9-7 in the decider.
Heading into this battle, Nadal provided an important reminder. As big as this feels, the winner will not lift the trophy. “It’s a semi-final. It’s not a final,” he said. “That’s a big difference. Even the winner of that match needs to keep going and [there] remains a lot of work to do to try to achieve the final goal here.”
More On Djokovic-Nadal LVIII
Learn About Their Rivalry In Paris
The Complete Djokovic-Nadal Rivalry
Novak On Facing Rafa: ‘It’s Not Like Any Other Match’
Nadal: ‘We Are Living The Sport For These Moments’
Djokovic learned that the hard way here in 2015. The Serbian beat Nadal in straight sets in the quarter-finals, and he was closing in on the Coupe des Mousquetaires, which had been his white whale. But instead, Stan Wawrinka left Paris with the title. It took Djokovic until 2016 to finally break through on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
You could talk about Djokovic and Nadal’s rivalry for days. However, the players don’t have the luxury of reflecting on it now. They have one thing in mind, and that is getting the win on Friday.
“Of course, the numbers are just amazing,” Nadal said. “But I can’t think about that now, honestly. Let’s talk about that when I finish my career.”
Two titans will clash, adding another chapter to one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports. But only one will move on. The other, inevitably, will be disappointed.
“We know each other well. Everybody knows that in these kind of matches anything can happen,” Nadal said. “The player who is playing better that day is the player that going to have better chances. That’s it. Probably if that happens, [it is] going to be an important match for both of us.”
Czech Barbora Krejcikova shows incredible sprit to beat Maria Sakkari in a classic French Open semi-final and reach her first Grand Slam final.