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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will go head-to-head for the 56th time in their careers in the final of the French Open on Sunday after both achieved straight-set victories in the semi-finals.
Nadal was Philippe-Chatrier’s first on the court and was forced to go deep to fire Diego Schwartzman.
The Argentine was confident heading into battle when he beat Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open last month.
For more than an hour, the pair battled in the first set before world No. 2 Nadal prevailed.
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The Spaniard then began shifting gears to record a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (0) victory.
Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya remained in center court in Paris to watch Djokovic in action against Tsitsipas.
Nadal is just one major tournament win away after leveling with Federer’s score of 20, while Djokovic seeks his 18th.
After reaching his thirteenth final at Roland Garros, Nadal thanked his family and friends who were able to come and support him as fans can enter the stadium.
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“I want to thank everyone for being here in these conditions,” he said. “As always, it’s amazing to be in the final again.
“Thank you very much to my friends and family here with me today. It is a special moment.”
Heading into Sunday’s showdown, Djokovic insisted that Nadal was the favorite, even though he held the highest world ranking.
“He is obviously the favorite here because it is his home with all the titles he has won,” said Djokovic.
But I won here in 2015 in the quarterfinals. I have to play my best tennis. Perhaps the biggest challenge in sport is playing Nadal here at Roland-Garros. But I’m motivated to win. “
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