PARIS — Rafael Nadal’s French Open quarterfinal began more than 1 1/2 hours after Novak Djokovic’s did Tuesday. Which is why, after wrapping up a three-set victory, Djokovic figured his coach could head over and check out some of Nadal’s match.
So much for a fresh scouting report ahead of Friday’s semifinals.
Turns out Nadal was only moments away from winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 against Nicolas Almagro, the most lopsided men’s quarterfinal at Roland Garros in the 40-year history of the Open Era.
Almagro’s no slouch, by the way: He was seeded 19th and has won more matches on clay than anyone else this season.
“I told my coach — I think it was 6-1, 6-1, 5-1 — I told him, ‘Look! Go! Go fast! See one game! Try to catch at least a game and see how it goes,’ ” Djokovic said. ” ‘Maybe he’ll play some bad shots.’ ”
Not a chance. Hard as it is to believe, Nadal is playing more relentless than ever, treating each point — no, each and every stroke — as though the outcome hangs in the balance.
He’s 26-0 at the French Open for his career, two victories away from becoming the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1978-81 to win the clay-court major championship four consecutive times.
Nadal has dropped a total of 25 games, the fewest ever lost through five full matches by a Grand Slam semifinalist in the Open Era.
Djokovic beat 80th-ranked Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-5 to become only the fourth man since 1968 to reach five consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. He also earned the right to face Nadal, who is 113-2 on clay since April 2005.
At a glance
A look at the French Open on Tuesday:
Quarterfinals: MEN — No. 2. Rafael Nadal def. No. 19 Nicolas Almagro; No. 3 Novak Djokovic def. Ernests Gulbis. WOMEN — No. 2 Ana Ivanovic def. No. 10 Patty Schnyder; Jelena Jankovic def. Carla Suarez Navarro.
Women’s fourth round: No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova def. No. 16 Victoria Azarenka; Kaia Kanepi def. Petra Kvitova
Stat of the day: 25 — Total number of games lost by Nadal through five matches, the fewest dropped by a man reaching a Grand Slam semifinal in the Open era, which began in 1968
Quote of the day: “If Rafa continues to play the way he plays, it’s just impossible.” —Nicolas Almagro, after winning only three games against Nadal
Today’s quarterfinals: No. 1 Roger Federer vs. No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez, No. 5 David Ferrer vs. Gael Monfils; No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Kaia Kanepi, No. 7 Elena Dementieva vs. No. 13 Dinara Safina
Today’s TV: Tennis Channel, 4-10 a.m.; ESPN2, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The Associated Press
