Spanish ace Rafael Nadal remains on track for a ninth French Open title after qualifying for the semi-finals with a four-set win over countryman David Ferrer in Paris overnight.
After losing the first set 4-6, Nadal found the form that has seen him dominate Roland Garros for the past decade to prevail 6-4, 6-0, 6-1. It was a pleasing victory for the top seed, who lost to Ferrer on clay at Monte Carlo in April.
“When you play David on any surface, it’s always tough and he’s having a great season,” Nadal told reporters after the match. “But I was more aggressive after the first set and maybe he did not have the best of matches as it went on.”
Waiting for Nadal in the semi-finals is Andy Murray, the Scot reaching the final four with a 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 victory against Frenchman Gael Monfils. An upset looked on the cards when Monfils claimed the third and fourth sets, but Murray steadied in the decider to see off the crowd favourite.
Murray, who missed last year’s tournament with a back injury, said Monfils forced him to find his best. “It was very tough out there. I first played against Gael when we were about 10 or 11 in Rouen, which is just a few miles from here, but he’s a very good friend,” he said.
“The conditions were tough, it was very windy and slow, heavy and he moves so well around the court, probably the best of anyone on the Tour. Right now, I’m just very happy to be in the semi-finals and I’m going to try and play my best tennis.”
