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French Open: Novak Djokovic to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in semi-final; Petra Kvitova in last four

In the men’s singles event, Djokovic defeated Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 10 minutes to make it to his 10th semi-final.

French Open: Novak Djokovic to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in semi-final; Petra Kvitova in last four

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova have entered the semifinals on the ongoing French Open after registering contrasting wins in their respective quarterfinal matches.

World number one men’s singles player Novak Djokovic is all set to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals of the ongoing French Open after winning the quarter-final match against Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday.

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Despite visibly struggling with his left arm and losing the opening set, Djokovic made a strong comeback to beat 17th seed Busta 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 10 minutes to make it to his 10th semi-final at the Roland Garros.

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“Well, I definitely didn’t feel great coming into the court today,” the Serbian admitted after the match. “Few things happened in the warm-up. I had to deal with those physical issues coming onto the court. As the match went on, I felt better, didn’t feel as much pain.”

“But I don’t want to take away anything from his good performance. Especially for a set and a half he was the better player, dictating the play. I was very neutral. I didn’t have much energy really happening in my legs or movement or game itself,” he added.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion’s semi-final opponent Tsitsipas cruised past Andrey Rublev in straight sets to make it to his maiden last four in the clay court Major. The 22-year-old Greek won 7-2, 6-2, 6-3

In other men’s singles semifinal, 12-time champion Rafael Nadal will lock horns with Diego Schwartzman.

Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, Petra Kvitova registered her name in the last four with a 6-3, 6-3 win over unseeded Laura Siegemund in 78 minutes.

The seventh seed Czech star, who has not dropped a set throughout this year’s Roland Garros so far, was impressive against Siegemund as she claimed 77 per cent of her first-serve points and converted five of 10 break points.

“I think I’m still same clay player as I was before, but I just think that I find those conditions here and I’m still mentally tough,” Kvitova said. “I mean, I played indoor, outdoor, sun, wind, whatever, rain, whatever happens… I think eight years ago I think it was everything, you know, kind of (the) same, same weather.”

The 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon Open winner will face this year’s Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin for a place in a maiden Roland Garros final.

In other semifinal, Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska, who had defeated third seed Elina Svitolina, will compete against Polish teenager Iga Swiatek.

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