Defending champion Rafael Nadal powered past Roger Federer in the French Open semi-finals on Friday, claiming his first win over his old rival in five years to move within one victory of a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title.
The 33-year-old produced a masterful performance to get past Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the last four on Court Philippe Chatrier. The win extended his Roland Garros record over the Swiss master to 6-0 and the overall head-to-head to 24-15.
Neither the windy conditions nor his opponent’s competitive show fazed the ‘King of Clay’ as he powered on without dropping a set.
It will be Nadal’s 12th appearance in the championship match, which he has never lost before. In fact, this was his 92nd win at the Slam, having lost only two matches in 14 years.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the King of Clay’s ruthless win.
22 not out!@RafaelNadal secures a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over rival Federer, and his 22nd match win in a row at Roland-Garros…
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2019
🎾 https://t.co/nKZ3xJ2F6o#RG19 pic.twitter.com/zIMYOPkEWN
👑 Rafa Nadal at the #FrenchOpen...
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 7, 2019
- Won 92 of his last 94 matches
- Only dropped 26 sets in that time
- Reached his 12th final
The King of Clay! pic.twitter.com/iutZHSU0kp
6-0 vs Federer at @rolandgarros, but Rafa's first win over him since 2014...
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 7, 2019
The moment @RafaelNadal moved into the #RG19 final 🙌pic.twitter.com/AMnUlvOvLg
Feel for Federer if you will but don't forget to nod to Nadal, who is at one with the clay, even when it's blowing in his face
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) June 7, 2019
Simply amazing 😉 performance from Vamos-Rafa taking out RF2.0 in such tricky conditions, who will he play Sunday
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) June 7, 2019
A 12th at #RolandGarros and a 26th GS final for Rafael #Nadal. Absolutely no foot wrong all the way to the end.
— anjali banerjee (@anjali_banerjee) June 7, 2019
As for #Federer, a brilliant clay season. Two M1000 QFs (Madrid and Rome) and a GS SF. Lots of delightful moments to cherish! pic.twitter.com/XK15QD11IC
Rafael Nadal has now reached the French Open final in:
— bet365 (@bet365) June 7, 2019
2005
2006
2007
2008
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2017
2018
2019
👑 pic.twitter.com/Ilwi0ErsZg
Death, taxes and @RafaelNadal reaching the @rolandgarros final 🇪🇸
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) June 7, 2019
The King of Clay 👑 moves on after a dominant 6-3 6-4 6-2 performance 💪
Nadal becomes the first man to beat Roger Federer 10 times at a major 😳#RG19 pic.twitter.com/ALKH1RJhYU
Yes.
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) June 7, 2019
It’s ALL about Respect.
👏🏻 @rogerfederer 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/6tWuvoSMYE
Roland Garros should stop having Nadal play in the tourney. Just have him waiting at the end to face the winner like Goro in Mortal Kombat
— Dad (@fivefifths) June 7, 2019
This wind* is impossible to play with.
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) June 7, 2019
*Rafa is the wind
Straight sets (3-0) victories for Rafael Nadal over Roger Federer
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 7, 2019
2008: #RolandGarros (final) 6-1 6-3 6-0
2014: #AusOpen (SF) 7-6 6-3 6-3
2019: #RG19 (SF) 6-3 6-4 6-2 #FrenchOpen
Federer has never won 3-0 in straight sets against Nadal #Fedal https://t.co/dyXx2EDCBz
10+ GS finals on a single surface:
— Roger Laver (@DonaldTendulkar) June 7, 2019
Djokovic: 15 (Hardcourt)
Federer: 14 (H)
Nadal: 12 (Clay)
Lendl, Sampras: 11(H)
Federer: 11 (G)
Agassi: 10(H)#FrenchOpen #Nadal #Final
MOST GRAND SLAM FINALS - Men’s singles
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 7, 2019
Federer, 30
Nadal, 26
Djokovic, 24
Don Rafa 😎 pic.twitter.com/yS5lvJXIKr
— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) June 7, 2019
Stop. No one goes through Rafa here. pic.twitter.com/ywKuKYGoxQ
— Del (@Stroppa_Del) June 7, 2019