If Rafa Nadal was to win the French Open for the 13th time in 15 years, beating Novak Djokovic in his 100th win at Roland Garros on Sunday, the Cupes des Moussaquites should honor the Spaniard forever.
It is unthinkable that Nadal would embrace, but in the autumn of his rivalry he will also test Nadal’s modesty by beating the world No. 1, the all-time record of 20 mojors – three ahead of Djokovic.
“I will live my reality,” he told Spanish reporters. “When we’re done, we’ll talk [Federer’s record]. For me, the important thing right now is that I play the final of the most important tournament of the year for me. ”
Nadal knows victory is far from certain, although he has lost only twice in 99 matches since winning in 2005 (once against Djokovic) and has yet to give up a set this fortnight. “Obstacles are with a player whose claim to be the biggest clay-door is not even worth the hand of dissent,” he said.
He escaped the toughest test of the tournament in the first semifinal on Friday, taking the late Charge of 12th seed Diego Schwartzmann and winning -3–3, -3–3, -6- ((0) in just three hours, then Djokovic finished 37th from 2020 In the matches that took place, unbeaten runs were scored and courtesy of Philippe Chattier’s roof and lights, with a 6-6, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 challenge from Stefanos Tsitipas just under four hours.
Djokovic, who complained that Pablo Carrero suffered a neck problem in his quarter-final against Busta two days ago, did very well, but was fed up with the end of the toughest five seasons, the longest and toughest match of his tournament. Was. Before life explodes when it is important.
“Of course I will bring a lot of passion and try to win on Sunday,” he said, “but he has won here many times, but he may have a 2015 memory when I beat him in the 2015 semifinals.” . So I have little hope. ”
“It simply came to our notice then. After about four hours in court we were both a little bored. Stefanos is a great guy, a great player. I have to give him a lot of credit for his efforts in this match. I think he will go in a positive direction in his career. ”
After the semi-finals, which began as a workout and ended in a dogfight, Nadal said: “You can’t stay in the Roland Garros final without suffering. I made some mistakes technically and technically. But, in general terms, I’m happy with the match. To win against Diego, you have to work hard and you have to play a good game for so long. But I found a way.
“Against Novak, I need to do my best. He is one of the most difficult opponents possible. But I like to play in this scenario. If he hadn’t enjoyed the fight, he could have probably lost the third set against Schwartzman, who went down 2-4 to push the tie-break. But, as the man said, he found a way. He always does. In 13 French semi-finals, he has dropped just three sets, an astonishing figure that reflects his growing determination towards the end of the tournament.
World No. 6, Sisyphus dreaded life after leaving Djokovic, after going down two sets, with revival at the center. Like Nadal, Djokovic got an extra gear under pressure. The front line of mp 93 mph in the fourth game of the third set, will live in the memory of all who saw it; It’s not a sticky exact sipsypas, though.
However, just as Nadal tightened closer to the line, the same match point saved between the two butts, gave Sitsipas a break and skimmed the line to take his young opponent’s sunken backhand set. They are good – but they are also humane.
It took all of Djokovic’s inner strength to stop Sitsipas from five consecutive games, but, after a quiet and skillful fight, he allowed him to level up on two sets with a truly lustful drop shot.
Djokovic was in real trouble – and later, out of nowhere, he broke out in life to go 5-1 up in the fifth, as the flat-legged and non-plus Tsitipas himself could not answer the winning combination of power and subtlety. . Half an hour ago it seemed inconceivable that Djokovic would go through the decision with such certainty that his last shot was almost casual forehand winner below the line.
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