French Open: Easiest of semi-final wins for Nadal

6-time champ beats Ferrer, to meet Djokovic after Serb thrashed Federer.

PARIS: Rafael Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the French Open final where he will bid to become the first man to win seven titles at Roland Garros.

Nadal will meet top-seed Novak Djokovic in the final after the Serb beat former world number one Roger Federer 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.

Seeded second, despite winning six titles at the Roland Garros in the last seven years, Spain's Nadal once again proved to have too much power and drive for  his close friend.

Ferrer was bidding to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time in what was his 37th campaign.

"I probably played my best match here at Roland Garros this year," said Nadal.

"I am sorry for David to lose like this. He is one of my best friends on the tour and one of the best claycourters. It was a fantastic match for me and I am so happy to be in another final."

Ferrer carried into the match a 4-15 head-to-head record against Nadal, but had defeated him twice in Grand Slams — at the 2007 US Open last-16 and the 2011 Australian Open quarter-finals.

His only win over him on clay, however, dated back to their first encounter eight years ago when Nadal was just 17.

Sharapova celebrates with room service

Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova enjoyed a low-key celebration to reaching her first French Open final and reclaiming the world number one spot after a four-year absence — she ordered hotel room service.

"Yeah, my celebration was room service and a massage,” said the Russian before she tackles Sara Errani of Italy for the French Open title.

“How exciting, huh? Yeah, that's as good as it gets before a final."

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2012.