Birthday boy Nadal eyes 14th French Open final despite future fears
Rafael Nadal looks to celebrate his 36th birthday on Friday by reaching a 14th French Open final which by his own admission could be the last of his record-breaking career.
Roger Federer Sport News
Birthday boy Rafael Nadal eyes 14th French Open final despite future fears
Rafael Nadal looks to celebrate his 36th birthday on Friday by reaching a 14th French Open final which by his own admission could be the last of his record-breaking career. Nadal, the 13-time champion, faces Germany's Alexander Zverev but is clear his chronic, long-term foot injury has put him on borrowed time. "The last three months and a half for me, the only thing that I can say is haven't been easy," said the Spaniard after his epic four-set win over old rival Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
French Open: Marin Cilic hails 'fantastic achievement' as he joins 'Big Four' with Slam mark
Marin Cilic said it was a "great achievement" as he joined Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray in becoming only the fifth active player to make the semi-finals at all four Slams. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, fired 33 aces past seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev to reach his first French Open semi-final on Wednesday with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10/2) win. He also crashed 88 winners in the four-hour 10-minute tie and will play either eighth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway or Danish teenager Holger Rune for a place in Sunday's final. "Absolutely fantastic achievement for me. To be mentioned among them," said 33-year-old Cilic. "I'm feeling great on the court, enjoying myself, being me, playing my own game. It's paying off, and I am enjoying the run." Rublev, playing in his fifth quarter-final at the majors, grabbed the first set but wilted under a Cilic barrage over the next two.
Marin Cilic and Casper Ruud reach French Open semi-finals for the first time
Casper Ruud moved into the French Open semi-finals for the first time on Wednesday courtesy of two big-hitting displays which overwhelmed their opponents. Cilic fired 33 aces and 88 winners past seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev in a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10/2) win. Eighth seed Ruud booked a clash against the 33-year-old Croat when he became the first Norwegian man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 victory over Danish teenager Holger Rune. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, needed four hours and 10 minutes to defeat Rublev who has now lost all of his five quarter-final appearances at the Slams. The 20th seeded Cilic becomes only the fifth active men's player after Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to make the semi-finals at all four majors.
Cilic bombs 33 aces past Rublev into 1st French Open semifinal at age 33
PARIS: Marin Cilic is 33, nearly eight seasons past his one Grand Slam title at the 2014 US Open — and, until Wednesday, more than four full years removed from his most recent trip to the semifinals of a major tournament.
Croatia’s Cilic, Norway’s Ruud reach Roland Garros semi-finals for first time
Cilic fired 33 aces and 88 winners past seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev in a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10/2) win.
Cilic happy with less media attention as he joins 'fab five'
Marin Cilic joined an elite group of active men's players to have reached the last four at all the Grand Slams as the world number 23 advanced to his first Roland Garros semi-final by beating Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic backed to break Grand Slam record despite Rafael Nadal French Open loss
Novak Djokovic has been backed to end his career with the most Grand Slams despite his loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-final. The Spaniard leads the race for the most men's Major titles with 21 while Djokovic and Roger Federer have 20 each, and the world No 1 has been denied the chance to equal his rival who could now extend his lead by winning a 22nd Grand Slam in Paris.