Fists of fury

It could be a day of heartbreaks and intense jubilation as unseeded Gael Monfils and Novac Djokovic, the two mercurial faces in world tennis, take on the titans, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in the semifinals at the French Open on Thursday

With a reputation of being the practical joker on tour, Novak Djokovic will be hoping he has the last laugh when he faces three-times champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals on Friday. Ranked second and third in the world, Nadal and Djokovic had expected to run into each other but in the other semi-final, world number one Roger Federer will be facing an unexpected adversary in the shape of 59th-ranked Frenchman Gael Monfils. Like a runaway bulldozer, Nadal has flattened anyone and anything that has got in his way at Roland Garros this year. He has made no allowances for reputations as he extended his perfect record at the claycourt major to 26-0. Such has been his dominance on the slow red clay, he has been raking up records almost every time he steps on court. He pulverised fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-1 6-1 6-1, thus winning the most lopsided men’s quarter-final at Roland Garros in the 40-year history of professional tennis.

LIGHT RELIEF   
The warning signs are loud and clear for Djokovic. “He’s been playing better and better. He’s improved the serve a lot this year, on clay especially, and he’s going for some shots much more. It’s impressive,” said the Australian Open champion, whose last two runs in Paris were stalled by Nadal.“But I don’t want to go out there in semis and just try my best. I don’t want to do that. I want to win,” Djokovic said. 

LOCAL FLAVOUR
To the delight of the passionate home fans, and on the 25th anniversary of Yannick Noah’s triumph here, the gangly Monfils has at long last reached his first grand slam semi-final. Touted as a future champion since winning three of the four junior slam titles in 2004, it has been a long and winding road for Monfils as before this month. But after knocking out two seeds this week, he remained undaunted about his chances of narrowing a 0-3 record against the Swiss master and is gunning to become the first local player to reach the final since Henri Leconte in 1988. “It’s going to be the most important match in my career so far. I’ve been practising for years for this moment, so I don’t want to miss it,” said the 21-year-old.

MAN MACHINE
Roger Federer arrived at Roland Garros with one title this season, his lowest count since 2001. Despite his poor run of form, no one has been able to stop him from reaching his 16th successive major semi-final. “I’ve been in so many semis of grand slam in a row. This is where I hope to play my best. This year, I’m aiming for the title,” he said.