French Open PIX: Djokovic outlasts Tsitsipas to set up final against Nadal

Images from Day 13 of the French Open, at Roland Garros, in Paris.

IMAGE: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during his semi-finals match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic set up a dream French Open final against defending champion Rafael Nadal after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets, on Friday, in Paris.

Djokovic outlasted Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 to enter his fifth French Open final.

IMAGE: Sefanos Tsitsipas plays a forehand during his match against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Djokovic, bidding for a second French Open and 18th Grand Slam title, claimed victory after three hours and 54 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The World No 1 let a two-set lead slip against the big-hitting Greek before regathering his form in the fifth to reach his 27th Grand Slam final.

Nadal downs Schwartzman to reach 13th French Open final

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal showed he is still the undisputed king of Roland Garros as he notched up a 10th win in 11 meetings over the Argentina's Diego Schwartzman on Friday. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal moved within one win of a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title by reaching the French Open final with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(0) victory over Diego Schwartzman on Friday.

The Spaniard was beaten by the 12th seed a little over two weeks ago on the claycourts in Rome but the 12-time French Open champion showed he is still the undisputed king of Roland Garros as he notched up a 10th win in 11 meetings over the Argentine.

A victory on Sunday for the 34-year-old left-hander, against world number one Novak Djokovic, will tie him with Roger Federer’s men’s singles record of 20 major titles.

Djokovic leads Nadal 29-26 in meetings. He also leads 15–11 in finals.

IMAGE: Diego Schwartzman exults after winning a point. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Nadal reached his 13th French Open final without dropping a set in this year’s edition.

Schwartzman, playing his first Grand Slam semi-final, had two breakpoints in the opening game but Nadal saved both to win the game after battling for 14 minutes.

The Spaniard went on to break the Argentine twice in each of the first two sets.

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal and Diego Schwartzman meet at the net after their semi-final. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The duo traded double service breaks in the third set before Nadal aced the tie-break without losing a point. Schwartzman found the net with a return to hand Nadal victory in three hours and nine minutes.

“It’s a very difficult year, thank you everyone for coming,” said Nadal, who hit 38 winners during the contest.

“With these conditions it’s very difficult, and it’s still incredible to be in the final again. Thanks to my team, my family. It’s a beautiful moment for me.”

Schwartzman had his chances but could convert only three of his 12 breakpoint chances against the Spaniard, who raised his level under pressure.

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