• Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Roger Federer in their French Open semi-final. EPA
    Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Roger Federer in their French Open semi-final. EPA
  • Federer reacts as he plays against Nadal. AFP
    Federer reacts as he plays against Nadal. AFP
  • Nadal reacts after winning a point against Federer. AFP
    Nadal reacts after winning a point against Federer. AFP
  • Federer plays a backhand return to Nadal. AFP
    Federer plays a backhand return to Nadal. AFP
  • Nadal during his semi final match against Federer. Reuters
    Nadal during his semi final match against Federer. Reuters
  • Nadal holds tennis balls during the match. Reuters
    Nadal holds tennis balls during the match. Reuters
  • Federer and Nadal walk to their benches during the changeover. AP Photo
    Federer and Nadal walk to their benches during the changeover. AP Photo
  • Clay and dust kick up off of the court during the semi-final match. Getty Images
    Clay and dust kick up off of the court during the semi-final match. Getty Images
  • Nadal reacts during his semi-final match. Reuters
    Nadal reacts during his semi-final match. Reuters
  • Federer reacts during his semi-final match. Getty Images
    Federer reacts during his semi-final match. Getty Images
  • Nadal grimaces after a point against Federer. AP Photo
    Nadal grimaces after a point against Federer. AP Photo
  • Federer keeps his eye on the ball. EPA
    Federer keeps his eye on the ball. EPA
  • Federer serves against Nadal. AFP
    Federer serves against Nadal. AFP
  • Nadal serves against Federer. AFP
    Nadal serves against Federer. AFP

French Open: Rafael Nadal sweeps past Roger Federer in straight sets to reach final at Roland Garros


  • English
  • Arabic

Rafael Nadal defeated his great rival Roger Federer in straight sets on Friday to reach the French Open final.

The Spaniard handled windy conditions in Paris superbly as he triumphed 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

The world No 2 is now one match away from a 12th title at Roland Garros, with either Novak Djokovic or Dominic Thiem to be his opponent in Sunday's final.

Nadal had never lost any of his five previous clashes with Federer at the tournament, and he started with an immediate intent to make it six in a row as he broke in the second game of the match to race into a 3-0 lead.

But Federer, playing at the French Open for the first time in 2015, demonstrated he was not going to be swept aside as he hit back with a break of his own to get back on serve.

However, Nadal, playing his best tennis of the tournament, broke again in the sixth game and that set him up to take the set.

Federer, the 2009 champion at Roland Garros, broke at the start of the second set as he looked to peg Nadal back.

But the 33 year old, who has only lost twice in 14 years of coming to Paris for the event, broke back in the third game and then in the ninth game to take the set.

Federer had no response and Nadal strolled through the third set to claim only his third straight sets success over the 20-time major winner at a grand slam.