The much-anticipated Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic 2013 French Open semi-final clash has been unfolded after the Spaniard claimed a convincing 6-2, 6-3, -6-1 victory over Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The victory saw Nadal move ahead 10-0 against Wawrinka in their ATP Head-to-head series. He has now won all 22 sets against the Swiss.
Top seed Novak Djokovic also eased to 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 straight-sets win against 35-year-old German Tommy Haas in Wednesday’s quarter-final on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Serb Djokovic emerged winner of the pair’s clash at the Monte Carlo Open final.
Nadal is on the quest to become the first man in history to win the same Grand Slam trophy (Roland Garros) eight times. Since his return from a seven-month hiatus in February, he has only lost two matches on tour and won six titles from eight tournaments.
In his quarter-final clash with Wawrinka on Wednesday, the 3rd seed hit 13 winners to seven unforced errors and closed out the 39-minute first set with a love service game, firing an ace up the baseline. Wawrinka won just four of 20 points on his return.
Nadal continued to open up the court in the second with his inside out forehand and again got ahead early in the second set. Wawrinka broke Nadal for the first time in the sixth game when the man from Mallorca double faulted. But Nadal quickly regrouped to win the next three game, earning a two-set lead.
After saving a break point in the first game of the third set, Nadal finally put away Wawrinka in 1 hour 56 minutes. Overall, the Spaniard won 13 of his 16 net points and capitalized on seven of his 12 break point chances.
