French Open 2015: Men's Singles Semifinals Preview
Novak Djokovic’s defeat of Rafael Nadal will pave way for a new name to be etched on the La Coupe des Mousquetaires coming this Sunday. With both Roger and Rafa out, a first-time winner will embrace the red clay at the Stade Roland Garros.
Novak, who managed to shake the monkey off his back by finally thwarting Nadal in a lop-sided Quarterfinal, will be the favourite to get his hands on the trophy and join the elusive club of players to have completed the Career Grand Slam. Meanwhile Andy Murray, whom the Serb will face, has slowly built up confidence on the red dirt this season winning all the 15 matches he’s played on this surface. Can he try and emulate Fred Perry who was the last Brit to win in Paris way back in 1935.
Stan Wawrinka seems to have found the form and rhythm that saw him defeat both Djokovic and Nadal on his way to winning his first Grand Slam in Australia last year. Tsonga who has unexpectedly become a threat in the men’s draw has clearly the home crowd behind him as he bids to end France’s 22-year wait for a native champion.
With many questions to be answered and temperatures set to rise, expect the tennis to just get better from here. Here’s a preview of both the SFs to be played on Friday (Live on Neo Sports 4:30 pm IST start).
(8) STAN WAWRINKA (SUI) Vs (14) JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (FRA)
When the draw was made, most people would have bet on a Federer Vs Nishikori SF in the bottom half. But after Wawrinka’s demolition of Federer and Tsonga’s outlasting of Nishikori, this match-up was hardly expected. Nonetheless Wawrinka and Tsonga will provide many fireworks on Philippe Chatrier and try to out-wrestle each other in order to reach the final.
Tsonga has the home crowd riding behind him as he tries to become the first French finalist since Henri Leconte back in 1988. Tsonga who had written a heartfelt message for his fans - “ROLAND JE T’AIME” (Roland, I love you) after his victory over Nishikori will be trying to become only the 4th Frenchman to reach the finals in the Open-Era (after Patrick Proisy in 1972, Yannick Noah in 1983, Henri Leconte in 1988).
Wawrinka has definitely made up for last year’s 1R loss to Garcia-Lopez. He has now made it to the QFs of the last 4 GSs (only Murray and Djokovic have achieved this). Wawrinka’s had a dismal 2015 apart from his exploits in Melbourne and Paris but he came into the event after defeating Nadal in Rome which has perhaps boosted his self-confidence and got him back on track for contesting majors amid disturbances in personal life (separation from his wife Ilham).
The Head-to-Head is tied at 3-3 with the last 5 matches played on clay. Wawrinka leads 3-2 on clay and the pair has contested some memorable matches in Paris (tied 1-1). Although they are level in their head-to-head, Wawrinka has a slight advantage as he’s won their last 2 encounters. Wawrinka-Tsonga have played 2 five setters in Paris (3R in 2011 & 4R in 2012) with Wawrinka coming back from 2 sets down to win in 2011 (Tsonga’s only defeat after leading 2 sets to love). It was a repeat the following year with Wawrinka again coming back from the same scoreline only to lose this time thus Tsonga managing to overcome his demons.
The biggest factor going into this match could be Wawrinka’s buoyancy after demolishing his idol Federer. Wawrinka drilled 43 winners and committed only 28 UEs making the 17-time Grand Slam champion look like an ordinary bloke. Tsonga does have the experience of playing a SF in Paris (2013; lost to Ferrer) but fatigue could also play a big role in this match as Tsonga has played 2 tough matches against Berdych and Nishikori. The wear and tear on Tsonga’s body could give the edge to Wawrinka.
PREDICTION – Wawrinka to win in 4 sets (Wawrinka has too much firepower and skill to make it to his 2nd Grand Slam Final).
(1) NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) Vs (3) ANDY MURRAY (GBR)
Djokovic managed to get the better of his arch-rival Nadal (ending the Spaniard’s 39 match unbeaten run in Paris) only to set up a SF clash with Scot Murray who defeated Spanish back-board David Ferrer for the first time on clay. With Nadal out, both Djokovic and Murray will be trying to get hold of the Musketeer’s Cup.
Along with Nadal, Murray and Djokovic, three-quarters of the Big Four, were stacked on one half of the draw. Fans enthusiastically anticipated the spicy matchups. The only question was who might meet Murray—Djokovic or Nadal? The two youngest and fittest of the Big Four, Djokovic and Murray are establishing themselves as the must-see showdown on the tour.
Both players have been undefeated on clay this season holding a 15-0 win-loss record on the red dirt. They managed to sweep the European clay Masters events (Djokovic – Monte Carlo, Rome; Murray – Madrid) and have looked ominously good on the surface.
Djokovic will be attempting to reach his third French Open final and capture his first Roland Garros title and join the elusive club of players to have completed the Career Slam. Djokovic is 40-2 this season and has not lost a match in major events (Grand Slams, World Tour Finals, Masters) since the birth of his baby Stefan.
Meanwhile, Murray has looked at his absolute best after marrying long-time partner Kim Sears in April. He has not lost a match since his marriage and went on record his 1st win over Spanish clay-court titans Nadal and Ferrer on the red dirt along with picking up his first clay-court title in Munich. Murray has now become the 1st Brit to reach the SFs in Paris three times and is trying to reach his 1st French Open Final (Bunny Austin was the last Brit in the Final in 1937). Thus, the match-up promises to be a battle of raw athleticism, sublime agility and mental fortitude.
The Head-to Head favours the Serb as he leads 18-8 in the overall count. He has not lost against the Scot since the historic 2013 Wimbledon Final and has won the last seven meetings including this year’s Australian Open Final and Miami Final. The Serb also leads 2-0 on clay with this being their 1st meeting in Paris..
In the last few encounters, Murray seems to hold on to the match for a large portion only to lose his concentration and willingness to win against the Serbinator. Murray and Djokovic who were born a week apart in 1987, know each other’s game inside out. It is improbable either will unleash some never-seen-before approach.
The biggest factor going into this match will be a No-Nadal Final awaiting the winner. Also Djokovic has the knowledge of playing big matches in Paris and could hold that advantage against Murray. Both players are looking fit, strong and are raring to go all-out, but Djokovic’s overall game and on-court strategy just looks more compact than Murray’s at this point of time. Djokovic’s desire to win for the first time in Paris will propel him to a victory over his Scottish rival as he will try to rewrite the history books once again.
PREDICTION – Djokovic to win in straight sets (Djokovic is playing high-octane aggressive game and Murray will fail to exorcise his demons against the Serb).