The match with history on the line will be played in the Roland Garros final with Rafael Nadal looking to claim his record-breaking 7th French Open title and Novak Djokovic attempting to become the first man since Rod Laver to win four Grand Slams in a row.
In the first semi of the day, Rafael Nadal destroyed David Ferrer 62 62 61. That's all that really needs to be said there. Ferrer never tested his compatriot and Rafa cruised yet again to the final with the loss of a set.
The rematch of the epic semifinal last year between Federer and Djokovic was not even close to the great match we witnessed last year, from either player, and certainly not Roger. In the end, the Swiss Maestro lost disappointingly in straight sets, 64 75 63.
Roger started out sharp and took a break early to go up 3-2. Unfortunately, he could not consolidate it, and lost 4 of the last 5 games to lose the first in a set that looked promising at the beginning. The second set also started the way Fed wanted, getting up an early double break at 3-0 with some very inspired play. He lost both breaks however, only to break another time. And then he couldn't hold that, when he was serving for the set at 5-4. Perhaps predictably, he lost the set 7-5. The third did not start like the first two for Roger and he went down a break, which pretty much signaled the end. Overall, it was a promising but disappointing loss for Roger, and in the end it seemed he went down without much of a fight.
Federer was "off" and out of rhythm the entire tournament. The only time when he really found it was in the final three sets against del Potro when he had his back against the wall. Against Djokovic, he played some inspired tennis for short stretches but then couldn't play his best when he needed to (trying to consolidate breaks). Overall, I don't think Roger's heart was in this tournament like it is for the other majors and that is why I don't truly feel that disappointed with the loss.
Consciously, Roger likely really wanted to win the title, as he does with every tournament he enters. Subconsciously though, I feel that he withered at the thought of having to go through Djokovic and Nadal to win, when there would be a very small chance of him actually winning the title on Sunday. Last year, Roger played arguably the best he's ever played at Roland Garros, and still fell short against Nadal. With Nadal much more imperious than he was last year, and with Roger struggling to find his best form, there is little to suggest that Fed would have been able to give Rafa the scare that he gave him a year ago. In the back of his mind, I think he knew he didn't have what it would take to go through both Djokovic and Nadal, knowing how demanding those matches would be on his body and mind.
Although Roger struggled throughout the tournament, it wasn't a total loss. He broke the Grand Slam wins record in the 2nd round with his win over Adrian Ungur. He made it to his 32nd straight Grand Slam quarterfinal and made it to his 31st Slam semifinal, which ties a record with Jimmy Connors. He will look to break that record at the place where it all started, Wimbledon.
Speaking of Wimbledon, Roger should be fresher than he was last year heading into his favourite Slam, and hopefully that will benefit him in helping him try to win his 7th title at SW19. Last year he was likely mentally drained after the tremendous French Open he had, and even then, he was one set away from making the semis. This year, he will be wholly focused on Wimbledon with the Olympics coming up at the same venue. Also, there is a very good chance that Nadal and Djokovic wear each other out in the Roland Garros final and that can only be a good thing for Roger's chances. Besides that, if Djokovic beats Nadal, Fed will hold the #2 ranking again.
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I won't say much about the French Open final. I believe Rafa will win in 4 for a few reasons. One, he has looked unstoppable and has not dropped a set en route to the final. Two, this is his best surface and this is the one place where it is nearly impossible to beat him. Three, Djokovic will be under so much pressure to win his 4th straight major, and he has already lost convincingly to Rafa two times on clay this year.
Rafa has looked ridiculous the entire tournament, making very good clay courters look very, very average (Monaco, Almagro, Ferrer). Djokovic has had his struggles, and even in the semi he didn't really do much more than play consistent and keep the ball in play and let Roger miss. At any other major against Rafa where he would go for his 4th straight I would say he has a very good chance of winning but I can't see him winning at Roland Garros. From the start, this has been Rafa's tournament, and I don't think even his toughest rival getting in his way for a 7th French Open and 11th major overall.
As for me, I am already onto Halle, where Roger will look to win his 6th title there. I will watch the Roland Garros final with limited interest as I don't really find Nadal vs Djokovic matches that entertaining. I have very high hopes for Roger's chances at Wimbledon and I think everything that happened at this French Open for him will give the man a very good chance to win his 17th major come the first week of July.
Will be back to recap the men's final,
Kyle.
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