By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Rafael Nadal slammed Kei Nishikori in a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 demolition to power into his record-extending 12th Roland Garros semifinal.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Paris provides a most expansive Grand Slam stage.
A refurbished Court Philippe Chatrier presents plenty of running room and no place to hide.
More: Murray To Play Queen's Club
A ruthless Rafael Nadal snuffed out any safe space for Kei Nishikori in a 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 demolition to power into his record-extending 12th Roland Garros semifinal.
The second-seeded Spaniard raised his record Roland Garros record to 91-2 creating a blockbuster semifinal showdown vs. arch rival Roger Federer on Friday.
Nadal rides a 10-match winning streak into episode 39 of the iconic Rafa vs. Roger rivalry.
Federer, who out-dueled Stan Wawrinka to advance to his eighth Roland Garros semifinal, has won five straight against Nadal.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion has beaten Federer in all five of their Roland Garros meetings and should be hungry to score his first win over the Swiss since a straight-sets victory in the 2014 Australian Open semifinals.
Our Top 5 Takeaways from Rafa's quarterfinal demolition of Nishikori.
1. Deep Threat
Returning so deep at times the crocodiles on the Lacoste sponsor signage were nipping at his heels, Nadal chewed up Nishikori's serve. Surveying the entire court from his return position several feet behind the baseline gave Nadal time to unleash his forehand swing and generate the depth to neutralize Nishikori's serve.
Nadal won 56 percent (30 of 54) points played on Nishikori's first serve. The slender Japanse was forced to work hard for every point he won on serve. Nishikori won just four points on first serve in the first set.
"On clay court it's very tough playing Rafa. He hit very heavy, and he was serving well," Nishikori said. "He made me play every point. Even to get one game, it feel like very long, you know, to get one game."
Ripping returns with conviction, Nadal leads the tournament in receiving points won and leads the ATP in return games won (37.6%).
2. Beat the Clock
Notice even in a blow-out, Nadal will often glance at the serve clock before launching his toss.
The left-hander celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday and has continued to bash for brevity. Today's one hour, 51-minute romp means Nadal has spent just 11 hours on court through five tournament victories, winning 15 of 16 sets he's played.
Nadal won 56 percent (30 of 54) points played on Nishikori's first serve. The slender Japanse was forced to work hard for every point he won on serve. Nishikori won just four points on first serve in the first set.
3. Competitive Snarl
When ominous storm clouds turned the skies over Court Chatrier a grim slate color, Nadal still wanted to stay and wrap up this win.
Note even in a blow-out, Nadal was determined to finish the job quickly and efficiently. Nadal is aiming to become the fourth man in Open Era history to win four or more major championships after the age of 30 joining Federer, Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall.
Given knee, hip and abdominal issues have troubled him over the past year, Nadal looks eager to take care of business ruthlessly.
4. Rivalry Renewed
Since the draw came out, the tennis world was anticipating the first Fedal French Open showdown since Nadal stopped Federer, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 victory in the 2011 final.
The players share the passion. Nadal and Federer shared the doubles court as partners in Prague at the inaugural 2017 Laver Cup and both sound pumped to face off again in Paris.
"We shared the most important moments of our careers together on court facing each other," Nadal said. "So it’s another episode of this, and happy for that and excited, no? Will be special moment, and let’s try to be ready for it.
"It’s always a big match against him. You know, the level of tennis that you need to play always is the highest. And I am playing well, but I need to play very well against him. So I hope to be ready to make that happen.
"It’s going to be a very special match for him, for me, and so it’s always been special matches. But here it’s going to be even more specific, more particular, an important match, indeed. ‘He will be ready to give his best, and I will be there, too."
5. Rafa Ready for Roger
It's been five years since Rafa last defeated Roger.
Theoretically, Federer, who has won five straight against his arch rival, should be able to swing freely as the underdog playing his first French Open semifinal in seven years.
As we know, major pressure is rarely a selective force. Both will likely feel the jitters.
Still, Nadal has more room to roam on the expansive Chatrier compared to the cozier confines of Court Suzanne Lenglen where Federer fought off Stan Wawrinka in today's quarterfinal.
The 11-time Roland Garros champion has been watching his rival's progress and fully expects Federer to go on the attack, serve-and-volley selectively and use the short slice to draw him forward.
"I really expect that he gonna play aggressive, changing rhythms, going to the net," Nadal said. "That's my feeling, that he gonna try to play that way, because he's playing well and he has the tennis to make that happen.
"I have to be solid. I have to hit the ball enough strong to don't allow him to do the things from good positions. I need to let him play from difficult positions, so from there he gonna have less chances to go to the net or to play his aggressive game."
There are few tactical secrets between the arch rivals. Each knows how to pose problems for the other and Nadal is relishing this reunion.
"So at the end of the day is play well," Nadal said. "If I am able to play good tennis and play well with my forehand and backhand, I hope to put him in trouble. If not, I will be in trouble."