With David Ferrer and JW Tsonga competing in the other semifinal match, two of the best players on the planet will meet for what could turn out to be the best match of the 2013 tennis season.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and three-time defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal are set to meet in the semifinal in front of a packed house at the famed Roland Garros after both players rolled through their quarterfinal contests.
When and Where to Watch Men's Semifinals
The match between No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Rafa Nadal will certainly begin another chapter in an already great rivalry. With No. 6 Tsonga facing off with No. 4 Ferrer in the other semi, this full day of action is a dream event for all tennis fans.
Early morning coverage of the match begins at 7:00am, EDT on the Tennis Channel. Additional coverage of the semis will begin on Friday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m., EDT. Television coverage of the matches will be provided by the NBC Network while an online live stream will be available through NBC Sports Live Extra.
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No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 3 Rafael Nadal - Semifinal Preview
Heading into the 2013 French Open, most fans wanted to see a rematch of the 2012 Final that saw Rafa Nadal take down Novak Djokovic in four sets 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. The two superstars combined have won 17 grand slam championships and although this meeting comes in the semifinals, the match will undoubtedly have the feel of a final.
Well tennis fans, you're wish has been granted!
Djokovic, who is 33-4 this season, didn't drop a set in the tournament until he met Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the fourth round. Dropping the first set 4-6, Djokovic would fire back in a big way, taking the second set 6-3 and closing the match out with consecutive 6-4 victories. Defeating another German in Tommy Haas to advance to the semifinals, Djokovic knows his next opponent has dominated on clay and says he has nothing but respect for his accomplished rival.
"He never gives up," Djokovic said to ESPN. "I mean, that's an impressive virtue that he has. Over the years, he's been so consistent and so dominant, on this surface especially. He's struggled with injuries, came back, and lost only a few matches since he came back. You've got to respect that."
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Rafa Nadal returned to competitive tennis this February after a seven month absence due to a left knee injury. Posting a 41-2 record since resuming active duty (one of those losses to Djokovic), Nadal is the favorite to win this year's tournament given his absolute supremacy on clay courts throughout his career. With a lifetime 57-1 record at Roland Garros, Nadal is two victories away from an unprecedented eighth French Open title.
Winning his last three matches in consecutive sets, the 27-year-old native of Mallorca, Spain is well-aware of his capabilities on the clay surface, but doesn't overlook his upcoming opponent despite the recent head-to-head success.
"I really am playing better here," Nadal said to Stuff Sport. "I said I needed to make a change. I was confident that I can do it, and I did. I'm going to be nervous (for the upcoming match). If not, go home and do another thing. Because if you are not nervous to play the semifinals against the best player of the world, it's because you are not enjoying or you don't feel passion for this game."
In 34 career meetings between the two titans, Nadal holds a slim 19-15 edge that includes an undefeated mark at Roland Garros (4-0). Nadal is also 6-3 against Djokovic in Grand Slam matches, a number Novak would certainly like to improve upon come Friday morning.
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Semifinal Wrap-Up
Rafa Nadal won four-consecutive French Open titles from 2005 to 2008 along with the last three tournaments at Roland Garros. If he's able to take down World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, Rafa will have an opportunity to do something no other player has ever done - win eight French Open Championships.
Be sure to tune into this epic contest between No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Rafael Nadal on Friday, June 7.
Complete coverage of the semifinals is set to begin at 7:00am, EDT on the Tennis Channel with the NBC Network broadcasting the matches at 11am, EDT. Additionally, an online live stream will be available through NBC Sports Live Extra.
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