Djokovic kept calm as he defeated Haas 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-5 to set up a semi-final clash against Nadal in the French Open at the Roland Garros. PHOTO: REUTERS
If the world number one still had nightmares about his mauling by Haas just over two months ago in Miami, he hid those fears well to set up a semi-final blockbuster with seven-time champion Rafael Nadal.
Meanwhile, Nadal’s transformation into claycourt machine was complete as the seven-times champion bulldozed into the last-four with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 crushing of Swiss ninth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka.
Sharapova, Azarenka reach French Open semis
In the women’s draw, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka set up a mouth-watering semi-final with hard-fought wins.
The defending champion Russian, seeded second this year, survived a nightmare start to hold on to her crown for at least another day with a 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Jelena Jankovic in a compelling quarter-final tie.
The 26-year-old was all over the place for a set and 30 minutes in her match against Jankovic, but with the Roland Garros exit door beckoning, she steadied her nerves.
“She played a great match from the beginning and was aggressive,” said Sharapova. “I knew after the first set that I had to change things around. I just had to erase the chapter and move forward. I still felt I was in the match and I broke her in the first game [of the second].”
World number three Azarenka, meanwhile, reached her first semi-final at Roland Garros when she defeated Maria Kirilenko of Russia, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Australian Open winner Azarenka had not faced anyone inside the top 30 en route to the last-eight and that lack of sharpness was evident immediately with four breaks in the first four games. “Kirilenko is such a great competitor and it was a really tough start,” said Azarenka. “But I am happy to get through to my first semi-final in Paris at the third time of asking.”
The women’s semi-finals will be held today with top-seed Serena Williams taking on last year’s runner-up Sara Errani in the other match.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.
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