PARIS (AP)—Five-time champion Rafael Nadal reached the French Open semifinals and improved his career record there to 43-1 by eliminating the only man to beat him, fifth-seeded Robin Soderling, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (3) Wednesday.
A sixth Roland Garros title would allow Nadal to tie Bjorn Borg for the most in history.
Nadal and Soderling have played each other in Paris three years in a row. In 2009, Soderling defeated Nadal in the fourth round en route to a runner-up finish. In 2010, Nadal beat Soderling in the final.
On Wednesday, Nadal broke Soderling the first two times the Swede served, and six total.
In Friday’s semifinals, the top-seeded Nadal plays No. 4 Andy Murray, who beat unseeded Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-2 Wednesday. No. 2 Novak Djokovic faces No. 3 Roger Federer in the other semifinal.
It’s the 12th time in the history of the Open era, which began in 1968, that the top four seeded men reached the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament. The last time was at the 2006 French Open, when Federer was No. 1, and Nadal was No. 2.
A sixth Roland Garros title would allow Nadal to tie Bjorn Borg for the most in history.
Nadal and Soderling have played each other in Paris three years in a row. In 2009, Soderling defeated Nadal in the fourth round en route to a runner-up finish. In 2010, Nadal beat Soderling in the final.
On Wednesday, Nadal broke Soderling the first two times the Swede served, and six total.
In Friday’s semifinals, the top-seeded Nadal plays No. 4 Andy Murray, who beat unseeded Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-2 Wednesday. No. 2 Novak Djokovic faces No. 3 Roger Federer in the other semifinal.
It’s the 12th time in the history of the Open era, which began in 1968, that the top four seeded men reached the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament. The last time was at the 2006 French Open, when Federer was No. 1, and Nadal was No. 2.
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