Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will go all-out to book their place in the final of the French Open when the two players clash in the semifinal on Friday.
The rivals will meet at Roland Garros for the first time in eight years. Federer has won the last five games against Nadal, however, not on clay. Nadal has beaten the 20-time grand slam champion 14 times on clay. In their five previous meetings at Roland Garros, including four finals, Federer has never managed more than one set.
Bidding for a record-extending 12th French Open title, Nadal said he believes the Swiss player would throw at him everything in his arsenal. “I really expect that he's gonna play aggressive, changing rhythms, going to the net. That's my feeling,” the Spaniard told reporters. “...I have to hit the ball enough strong to don't allow him to do the things from good positions.”
Nadal had pummelled Japan's Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals and wrapped up the match in three sets(6-1 6-1 6-3) to enter the semifinal.
Federer, who has won the French Open only once (2009), said he was happy to play Nadal and that he would adopt a fearless approach to overcome the challenge posed by the Spaniard. “It took five me five matches to get here. That's why I'm very happy to play Rafa, because if you want to do or achieve something on the clay, inevitably, at some stage, you will go through Rafa, because he's that strong.”
Federer had defeated Stan Wawrinka 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-4 to set up his semifinal clash with Nadal.