Match reports
That’s all from me. Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka are the last two men standing. They’ll meet in the final on Sunday afternoon. I’ll see you then. Thanks for keeping me company today. Bye!
Rafael Nadal beats Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0!
Serving for a place in the final, Nadal begins by butchering a smash. Then he nets a forehand. The comeback’s on! It’s on! 0-30! Then it’s 30-40! It’s on! It’s not on. Nadal saves the break point with a huge forehand and earns a match point when Thiem knocks a backhand wide. He serves hard and down the middle. Thiem nets a forehand return. The applause is muted. They share a handshake. But they cheer when it comes to saluting the majesty of Rafael Nadal. He’s into his 10th French Open final. He’s won the first nine. And that, Stan Wawrinka, was brutal.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 5-0 Thiem* (*denotes server): As the clock ticks over the two-hour mark, Nadal pours sulphuric acid into the wound, earning three break points with a vicious backhand return. His forehand leaves Thiem reeling. It’s going to be a bagel.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 4-0 Thiem (*denotes server): It’s relentless. “so montonous after the tremendous fight between Murray and Wawrinka, which really was how tennis should be, keeping me on the edge of my chair,” Diana Badder says. “The trouble is that Nadal has virtually practised until getting playing on clay courts to a fine art for the past 20 years, which almost makes it impossible for anyone else to get a look in (unless he’s injured or off colour as he says he was in Rome, when Thiem beat him). Anyway looking forward to Monday and seeing Federer in Stuttgart on cool grass.”
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Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 3-0 Thiem* (*denotes server): The fight seems to be draining from Thiem, who begins the game with a double-fault. Nadal’s tightening his grip. A rasping backhand makes it 0-30. He loosens it a little, though, and makes three straight errors. The game goes to deuce, but Nadal greedily breaks with a forehand down the line. Farewell, young Dominic.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 Thiem (*denotes server): Thoughts turn to Sunday’s likely final. Can Wawrinka do to Nadal what he did to Murray? He hit 87 winners today. If he maintains that level against Nadal, could he deny him La Decima? Or will it be taken out of his hands by this man’s greatness on clay?
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 1-0 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem whacks a forehand long to give Nadal a break point. Then he does it again. He hangs his head. This is a shame. We all agree Thiem will probably win this tournament at some point. But not this year.
Rafa Nadal wins the second set 6-5; he leads 6-3, 6-4!
It isn’t long before Thiem’s handed Nadal three set points. He volleys confidently to claim the first. He’s a set away from his 10th French Open final.
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Second set: Nadal 6-3, 5-4 Thiem* (*denotes server): Serving to keep Nadal honest, Thiem whistles an ace past the Spaniard’s lugs to lead 40-0. It’s a love hold. And it’s now or never for Thiem. He surely won’t be coming back from two sets down.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-3 Thiem (*denotes server): Thiem constantly goes for big shots with his forehand, but he lacks patience. Plan A isn’t working. Nadal holds to 15. Is there a Plan B?
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 4-3 Thiem* (*denotes server): A Nadal winner’s called wide, but everyone, including Thiem, knows it’s in. 0-15. Which is just as well because Nadal was frowning very hard. You don’t steal winners off Rafa Nadal, who leads 0-30 when Thiem overhits a forehand. Thiem fights back. Less pace, more touch. At 15-30, he drop shots to perfection. He holds when Nadal plonks a simple volley wide.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 4-2 Thiem (*denotes server): Thiem is a joy to watch, a wonderfully free and imaginative player. But he’s in the ring with Rafa Nadal and he’s taking some heavy punches. Nadal holds to 15 without much of a fuss.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 3-2 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem holds to 15. He’s still within touching distance. He hasn’t played badly at all. But this is Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. You have to play the match of your life - and then some.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 3-1 Thiem (*denotes server): Nadal holds to 15 to consolidate the break. One outstanding forehand winner from Thiem. It’s not enough.
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Second set: Nadal 6-3, 2-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): With Thiem a touch erratic, the game goes to 30-all and Nadal earns a break point, wrongfooting the Austrian with a disguised forehand. Thiem nets a first serve. He sends down a kicker of a second serve, though, and is delighted to see Nadal knock a forehand return long. But inconsistency is plaguing Thiem, who nets a forehand to hand Nadal another break point. Nadal pummels a forehand down the line and Thiem nets a backhand.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 1-1 Thiem (*denotes server): Nadal misses a backhand, which is no reason to panic. But then he slaps a forehand into the net. 0-30. The crowd stirs a little. Nadal makes it 15-30 with a heatseeking forehand. But Thiem plays the next point beautifully, dominating with monstrous hitting, earning two break points with a stunning little volley. Nadal saves the first with a big serve. A forehand down the line does the job on the second. Deuce. Nadal holds. An ace down the middle isn’t coming back. For the third time, he holds from 15-40.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 0-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): That was the breezy workout Nadal would have been looking for after the Murray-Wawrinka marathon. And he makes an ominous start to this set, picking Thiem off with a glorious forehand lob for 0-15. Soon Thiem’s making a double-fault. Nadal balloons a forehand, though, and Thiem sinks his teeth into the game with an ace down the middle for 40-30. The game goes to deuce, but Thiem comes up with one of those hooked forehands that hurt Djokovic so much and holds when he works Nadal over with a drop shot. Terrific from Thiem. It had to be.
And now, Jacob is rested and will resume.
Nadal wins the first set 6-3
Thiem tries to blast his way out of trouble, but he can’t hit them all for thundering winners. A couple go astray, and even after Nadal misses with a forehand, Thiem goes long with a backhand and that’s the end of a bitty first set, nevertheless dominated by Nadal.
First set: Nadal 5-3 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem feels a little better about himself by making the old boy run a bit, and wins one point after a serve with so much loop and spin that it’s on its way down when Nadal returns it. Nadal pulverises an inside-out forehand, but Thiem takes the game after Nadal puts one wide.
First set: *Nadal 5-2 Thiem (*denotes server): Nadal shows this young shaver a thing or two about playing on clay by moving Thiem all around the court like he has him on a bit of string. Then a flex of the old muscles and a couple of big shots - showing this young shaver a thing or two about hitting a tennis ball really, really hard - and he’s 5-2 up.
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First set: Nadal 4-2 Thiem* (*denotes server): Still a little scrappy, this, but there are a few spots of quality. Nadal hits the first ‘touch’ winner of the match by spinning a delicious drop-shot just over the net, but Thiem surprises most with a serve-volley and gets back ahead in the game, eventually closing out the hold with another nuclear forehand.
First set: *Nadal 4-1 Thiem (*denotes server): Thiem breaks out that weapons-grade forehand to hit the line with a fizzing winner, then Nadal puts a forehand long and we’ve got yet another break point - two of them, actually. The first is backhanded into the tramlines, then a kick serve by Nadal is just barely put back over the net by Thiem, and Nadal punishes a winner from near the net. Thiem then top-edges a return somewhere into the 15th Arrondissement, and Nadal is in control.
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First set: Nadal 3-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Nadal mishits two shots in a row, but somehow gets away with the point as Thiem offers an even bigger mishit and moonballs a backhand half-volley long. A double-fault then sets up three break points, the first two of which are saved by meaty Thiem forehand winners, and the third by a meaty Thiem forehand that Nadal can’t return. Nadal then punishes a fairly weak approach shot with a crosscourt backhand from the top of the bounce, then forces another error from Thiem to take another break, and his third game in a row.
First set: *Nadal 2-1 Thiem (*denotes server): It’s tempting to wonder if the long wait while Murray and Wawrinka did their thing has affected the concentration of these two in some way. Nadal his an overhead into the net, Thiem swings from his toes but puts a big backhand long, Nadal nets again, then again: the number of unforced errors in the early stages of this one might suggest they are both a little distracted. That second Nadal mistake sets up two break points: naturally, Thiem nets the first (although that one was from a fine wide serve), then just overcooks a bullet of a backhand, and we’re back to deuce. Then a glimpse of ruthlessness pokes through, and Nadal serves out for the first save of the match.
First set: Nadal 1-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Again Nadal grabs the first two points, then rather carelessly concedes the following two. But Thiem, with the enthusiasm and giddiness of youth, seems to try just a little too hard to lash the cover off a couple of forehands, sticks both of them into the net and Nadal immediately breaks back.
First set: *Nadal 0-1 Thiem (*denotes server): Nadal powers his way to the first two points, then offers up that rarest of beasts, a double-fault. Thiem then jumps all over a backhand winner, and suddenly a break point as Nadal hoofs a forehand long. And break! What a start for the Austrian, as Nadal punches into the net and scuttles, perplexed, back to his chair.
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Afternoon. Jacob’s just popping off to put a damp flannel on his forehead, but the tennis continues. Nadal will serve first.
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem are out on court. Nick Miller will be your friend for the next portion of play. I need a lie-down.
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report from Paris.
The next semi-final will be between Rafael Nadal, the king of clay, and Dominic Thiem, conqueror of Novak Djokovic. Play will hopefully begin soon, although they have to sort out the crowd first as the day’s been split into two sessions.
For Andy Murray, he’ll wonder about that moment when he had a chance to grab a break point in the seventh game of the fourth set. But Wawrinka came up with a stupendous forehand pass down the line, held and the from there, well. Who could have lived with him? Murray will obviously be disappointed - but he can be satisfied about his overall tournament given how he’s played for most of the year. He’s off to his favoured grass. Wawrinka stays in Paris. He’s the story today. It wasn’t just the brilliance - it was also the guts to come back from the disappointment of losing the first and third set. The 2015 champion is back in the final. It’ll be his fourth grand slam final. He won’t be the favourite if his opponent’s Rafael Nadal rather than Dominic Thiem. But get this: he’s never lost a grand slam final before. Whatever happens, it’s bound to be a titanic match.
Stan Wawrinka speaks. “With this sort of atmosphere and crowd, it was amazing to play. I know I was dominating even though I was down two sets to one. I knew I dominated the first set and and I should have won the third. Andy makes it so difficult for you. It’s incredible to be back in the finals again.I’m going to try my best. It’s not every day you make a final. After this big match I want to celebrate. Then I’m going to recover for Sunday. I’ll have another chance to win and I’m going to give everything I can.”
Stan Wawrinka beats Andy Murray 6-7, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1!
Murray’s avoided the bagel, but can he pull off the unthinkable? Not if Wawrinka’s going to keep doing this. He makes it 0-15 with a bone-crunching forehand. At 15-all, Murray double-faults. Then he sends a forehand long. Wawrinka has two match points. Fittingly, he takes the first with a trademark backhand down the line. He’s into his second French Open final! What a performance! Could anyone have stopped him today? Can Rafael Nadal - assuming he beats Dominic Thiem now - stop him on Sunday?
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Fifth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 1-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Bidding to become the oldest man to reach the final at Roland Garros since Nikola Pilic in 1973, Wawrinka quickly finds himself down 0-30. But he clambers to 30-all with a huge ace out wide. Mustering some resistance, Murray earns a break point with a forehand pass from right to left. Wawrinka’s response is an ace. Of course it is. But Murray grabs another chance. Wawrinka comes forward, but he nets his volley.
Fifth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 0-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray leads 30-0, but it’s not long before Wawrinka’s crashing a forehand down the line for 30-all. Then Murray nets a backhand. It’s a break point. Murray tries a drop shot. It’s nowhere near good enough. Wawrinka storms on it and slaps a forehand down the line. He’ll serve for the match and a place in his second French Open final. Poor Murray doesn’t deserve such a cruel ending. But Wawrinka has been awesome since winning that tie-break.
Fifth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 0-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): There were times in the fourth set when it seemed a matter of time before Murray made the breakthrough, even though he never actually held a break point, but Wawrinka’s resilience should not be underestimated. He was a set down when he beat Novak Djokovic in the French Open and US Open finals, after all. But he is liable to suffer losses of concentration. A double-fault followed by a poor backhand and Murray has a glimmer of hope at 0-30. “Let’s go!” he cries, trying to stay positive. But errors let Wawrinka back in at 30-all. Murray nets a backhand to make it 40-30. Wawrinka holds to 30 and this may well be done.
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Fifth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 0-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The Stanimal roars and chucks a backhand down the line and Murray doesn’t look like he knows what to do. At 15-all, Wawrinka rips a forehand down the line. Murray is desperate for first serves and easy points here. He has to settle for a crosscourt backhand winner for 30-all, but Wawrinka seizes a break point with a smash. This feels like a match point. And Wawrinka is too powerful. He wallops a backhand at Murray, who pulls a forehand wide. Wawrinka leads by two breaks. He’s almost there. Murray needs a miracle. More than anything, he needs Wawrinka’s level to dip.
Fifth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 0-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka’s in unplayable mode again, skipping into a 30-0 lead with classic backhand and forehand winners. This is formidable tennis. He holds to love.
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Fifth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-7, 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): After a short break for both players, the final set of this epic match begins with Murray serving. How he needs a good start. But Wawrinka’s boiling here. A weak, inviting second serve has Wawrinka licking his chops again - it receives brutal treatment with the forehand again, making it 0-30. Wawrinka has two break points after nailing a forehand down the line. Murray clips a forehand down the line. But Wawrinka’s crosscourt slice with his backhand is troublesome for Murray, who nets a low volley. It’s Wawrinka’s match to lose now. “Good luck predicting this one,” says Simon McMahon. “But who’d have thunk even 5 years ago that Murray would be within a set of a second consecutive final at Roland Garros? Certainly not me. A testament not just to his brilliance as a player, but his hard work and determination to succeed. Let’s go Andy!!!”
Stan Wawrinka wins the fourth set 7-6 to level the match!
Fourth set tie-break: Murray* 3-7 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray’s second serve is given the treatment by Wawrinka with a forehand - the same it received on set point in the second set! Wawrinka clenches his fist and puffs out his chest, the crowd goes wild and we’re going the distance!
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Fourth set tie-break: Murray 3-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray lifts a forehand long. Three set points for Wawrinka!
Fourth set tie-break: Murray 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka penetrates with a backhand from left to right. Murray’s slice drifts wide.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray* 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray meets a Wawrinka backhand with a stolid volley.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray* 2-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray lets himself down with a wretched drop shot. It barely made the net.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray blocks a backhand return long.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray confounds Wawrinka with a looping backhand. Wawrinka’s forehand is horribly askew.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray* 1-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka nets a big forehand.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray* 0-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray lifts a backhand long.
Fourth set tie-break: Murray 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka crashes an astonishing forehand down the line, Murray’s defence counting for nothing.
Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Murray’s down 0-15 when Wawrinka lands a backhand of unanswerable beauty down the line. But Murray fights back to 15-all and makes it 30-15 with a deft forehand volley. Murray holds to 15. Tie-break.
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 5-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray nets a forehand return. His body slumps. It’s a donation for Wawrinka, who proceeds to make it 30-0 with a wonderful forehand drop shot that completely bewitches Murray. Murray can’t do anything about an ace out wide either. Wawrinka holds to love. He’s got himself a tie-break at the very least. But how about a fifth set instead?
Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Serving to prolong this superb set, Murray quickly moves into a 15-0 lead. But then Wawrinka defends like Murray to make it 15-all. His fist’s high above his head again. Two backhand errors from Wawrinka make it 40-15; a cracking backhand return that paints the line makes it 40-30. But Murray holds to 30.
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka serves hard down the middle to make it 15-0. A drop volley makes it 30-0, although not before Murray’s returned another smash. Outstanding volley sees Wawrinka hold to love. He’s a game away from a fifth set.
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Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 4-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Serving solidly, Murray holds to love. Now here’s where it gets really interesting. “I don’t say this lightly but I think Andy Murray might be the finest athlete Scotland has ever produced,” says Simon McMahon. “And I include Jocky Wilson in that.”
Even Craig Beattie?
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 3-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka begins the game with a double-fault, but makes it 15-all with a searing forehand. Then comes a brilliant rally. Murray volleys stupendously. Wawrinka frustrates him with a lob and some stout volleying. But Murray eventually locates a way through with a forehand from right to left for 15-30. The game goes to 30-all. Murray looks like he’s going to grab his first break point of the set. He directs a low backhand into the right corner, but Wawrinka somehow steers a barely credible forehand down the line and holds his fist in the air in celebration, bellowing at his box, his face all red and sweaty and defiant! The game goes to deuce when he slaps a forehand long. This is an immense struggle now. Wawrinka holds with a huge forehand.
Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray rips a huge, Ostapenko-esque forehand into the left corner for 15-0. A gorgeous drop shot makes it 40-15. He holds to 15 with a commanding forehand.
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka peels back and whistles a preposterous forehand on to the line. Or has he? The umpire has a look and decides it was out, meaning it’s 0-15. He makes his next winning attempt, though, scorching a backhand down the line for 15-all. Wawrinka congratulates himself with an “Allez!” Murray stays cool and drop shots. Wawrinka dinks down the line, Murray feathers a forehand from right to left for 15-30. “Make it!” Murray cries, however, after netting a backhand for 30-all. “Come onnnnnnnnn!” Wawrinka cries after outlasting Murray for 40-30. He holds.
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Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray holds to 15. There’s still no sign of either playing crashing physically. A lot will depend on Wawrinka’s mindset. “If Stan Wawrinka’s tennis career was your boyfriend, you’d tell it “let’s be friends” and put on your slinkiest dress and go hang out in a club that Andy Murray’s tennis career is reputed to frequent,” says Marie Meyer.
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 1-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Two ragged Wawrinka errors make it 15-30. Is he fading? If so, he’s hiding it well judging by a smart volley for 30-all. Murray drives himself crazy when he nets a drop shot, however, after returning two drop shots with eerie anticipation and Wawrinka holds. “The winning of that set,” says Adam Hirst. “First time Murray has played like the No1 player really should. Incredible win, not many players could have held off a charging Stanimal to come through that one.”
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Fourth set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray begins the game with his fourth double-fault. He has to keep his intensity high. He looks a bit weary here. Soon it’s 0-30. But he stays calm, drilling a forehand down the line for 15-30, slicing an ace down the middle for 30-all. Murray holds to 30 with a reflexive backhand down the line.
Fourth set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): What does Wawrinka do now? He led 3-0 and 4-2 in that third set. He was up twice in the first as well. But Murray’s an astonishing fighter. That was a stunning comeback. Wawrinka begins the fourth set with a hold to 15. The funny thing is, however, he could have already won this in straight sets.
Andy Murray wins the third set 7-5; he leads 7-6, 3-6, 7-5!
The crowd’s getting increasingly feverish as Murray steps up to serve for the set. Even more so when Wawrinka crashes an angry forehand to the left for 0-15. Hey, anything’s possible. Murray aims a deep forehand to the Wawrinka backhand. Wawrinka flings it down the line, but Murray’s volley is exceptional for 15-all. Soon, not before a cat and mouse exchange at the net, Wawrinka spanks a forehand long for 30-15 and Murray earns two break points, punching a forehand to the right to force another error. He only needs one. Wawrinka nets a backhand down the line and Murray, improbably given the way he started this set, has his sights set on the final. It’s not over yet, though. Wawrinka won’t be going quietly. Surely we can be sure of that.
“This match just encompasses everything that’s good and bad about Stan Wawrinka,” says Upender Gowda. “If he had taken advantage of all the opportunities that Murray had provided him, he would have been probably close to winning the match right now. But then again on the flip side, he has produced some incredible mind-blowing shots on clutch points that I just cannot get enough of. If Stan Wawrinka’s tennis career was your girlfriend, you would probably fall in and out of love every second of the day and when it eventually ends, you would not know how to feel about it.”
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Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 6-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): A stat flashes up at the start of this game showing that both men have won 33 points in this set. Murray wins the 67th point, Wawrinka dragging a backhand wide. He wins the 68th as well, Wawrinka surprised when a shot comes skidding off the service line, causing him to dribble a curious drop shot along the dirt for 0-30. Murray’s turning water into wine here. Wawrinka wallops another smash at him. Murray makes him play one more ball and Wawrinka blocks a volley well wide to hand Murray three break points. Wawrinka saves the first. But Murray hurtles along the baseline to reavh a Wawrinka forward, slice down the line and watch with immense satisfaction when the Swiss nets a volley! Murray breaks again. He’ll serve for the set. He is a truly preposterous specimen.
Third set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The tension rises when the first two points are split, both players misfiring. Murray makes it 30-15 when a well angled forehand draws an error from Wawrinka, who overcooks another forehand for 40-15. Murray holds impressively.
Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray returns with a splendid backhand before whipping a forehand into the opposite corner for 0-15. He’s inspired at the moment. He’s desperate to keep the momentum going. “No!” he yelps after netting a backhand return. Then it’s Wawrinka’s turn to chunter after misreading an awkward backhand, making it 15-30. Wawrinka’s in trouble. Murray appears to be inserting himself in his head, earning two break points when a Wawrinka backhand hits the top of the net and drops well wide. He’s annoyed with himself when he nets a backhand for 30-40, though. He tries to gee himself up. Wawrinka misses a first serve. Murray promptly nets a nervy backhand return. He should have made that. But he didn’t and Wawrinka, with the aid of his third ace, holds him off. Murray should be serving for the set. Instead he’s serving to stay in it.
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Third set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 4-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray tries a drop shot, a lob, everything, but he’s flat-footed with a backhand that drifts wide for 0-15, bringing up immediate danger. Obviously now’s the time for another drop shot. 15-all becomes 30-15 when Murray produces an incredible half volley over Wawrinka, whose tweener comes to naught and 30-15 becomes 40-15 when Murray defends magnificently deep on the left before reading a Wawrinka smash to the right and returning with interest, causing his stunned opponent to net a volley. Murray holds.
Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 3-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Out of nowhere, Wawrinka rips forehands down the line to make it 30-all. They’re absurd shots. But Murray simply won’t go away. Not yet. Wawrinka wallops a smash at him. Murray eventually forces Wawrinka to volley long, making it 30-40. The chance to break back disappears when Wawrinka spanks a smash past him for deuce. But here’s another one, Wawrinka netting a soft forehand. Can Murray capitalise? Not with Wawrinka in this mood. Another storming forehand down the line darkens Murray’s mood. He’s banging on the door, though, carving out a third chance when Wawrinka, with a lot of time to think, nets a forehand pass. Wawrinka can’t keep him at bay. Murray’s had enough of being on the end of backhand winners. Time for one of his own. Left to right it goes, fizzing through the air, and it isn’t coming back. What a set this is turning out to be!
Third set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 2-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The pair swap backhand errors, leaving the game at 15-all. Disgusted with himself, Wawrinka shakes his head clear and wallops a backhand pass down the line for 15-30, drawing gasps from the crowd. The intrigue grows. Murray misses a seemingly straightforward backhand, pinging it wide, giving Wawrinka two break points. He saves the first, running round a backhand to slap a forehand down the line. Then comes a lengthy rally. Murray’s nervy, but Wawrinka misses a backhand down the line and the game goes to deuce. Wawrinka’s still pushing, however, and he earns a third opportunity when Murray, scrambling for a drop shot, prods inches wide down the line. Wawrinka tamely nets a backhand return, but he has a fourth opportunity when a mishit forehand unsettles Murray, who cracks at last, wonking a horrible backhand miles wide at the net.
Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray changes the pace at 15-all, delicately using a drop shot to pull Wawrinka in, before dinking a forehand down the line for 15-30. That’s the first time he’s dictated for a while. Wawrinka’s having none of that, though. He volleys for 30-all and aces for 40-30. But then comes one of those forehands we saw in set one. The game goes to deuce. Murray’s asking a few questions again and he has a break point when Wawrinka hooks a backhand wide. He rips a forehand into the right corner, pushing Wawrinka back, and he breaks back when the Swiss nets a forehand.
Third set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 1-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray stops the rot with a hold to 15. “Come on,” he cries.
Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 0-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray’s all over the place. From 0-15, he makes three straight errors to make it 40-15. Wawrinka holds with an excellent volley. He’s won seven straight games. Murray needs to find a second wind sharpish.
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Third set: Murray* 7-6, 3-6, 0-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, Murray netting an attempted backhand pass. He looks flat compared to Wawrinka. He has to dig deep. After missing a forehand to make it 15-30, he finds the line with one for 30-all, but Wawrinka earns a break point with a venomous backhand from left to right. It’s not happening for the world No1 at the moment. Wawrinka drops a return short, but Murray whistles a forehand wide. He doesn’t bother getting the umpire to check it. He looks furious. Three straight breaks for Wawrinka.
Third set: Murray 7-6, 3-6, 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka, dialling up the volume, begins the set with a commanding hold to love. Murray’s definitely got his work cut out here.
Stan Wawrinka’s left the court, which is being watered. Andy Murray has plenty to think about during the changeover, but this could still go either way. It’s tough to call, but Wawrinka’s the favourite at the moment.
Stan Wawrinka wins the second set 6-3 to level the match!
Serving to stay in the set, Murray’s third double-fault makes it 0-15. The game goes to 30-all and Murray’s struggling, netting a backhand to give Wawrinka a set point. He misses a first serve. His second serve’s there to be hit. And no one lives a swing more than Wawrinka, who puts himself into position for a vicious inside-out forehand down the line! What a response to losing that first set!
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Second set: Murray 7-6, 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka comes up with a classic one-two combo, an ace out wide followed by a forehand into the opposite corner. He needs to keep foot pressed to accelerator. But 30-0 becomes 30-all, Murray catching out Wawrinka’s attempt to volley by slicing low. The game goes to deuce. But Wawrinka quashes any suggestion of an uprising, serving brilliantly, and this time he consolidates the break. Murray’s in a spot of bother.
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Second set: Murray* 7-6, 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray lifts a backhand long to make it 0-15. The umpire checks to confirm it was out. It was. This isn’t. Wawrinka makes it 0-30 with a fearsome forehand to the left. If Murray was hoping Wawrinka was going to collapse, he’s sorely mistaken. Instead he’s the one in trouble after a double-fault hands Wawrinka three break points. He only needs one. A blistering backhand down the line’s too hot for Murray to handle. Wawrinka pumps his fist, a steely look on his face.
Second set: Murray 7-6, 3-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray’s still struggling with his approach shots. He keeps giving Wawrinka a target. He ought to move into a 0-30 lead, only to offer Wawrinka a chance to pass him with a forehand. Invitation accepted, Wawrinka comes up with some solid serves to hold to 15. It was more comfortable than it could have been.
Second set: Murray* 7-6, 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Getting into his groove again, Wawrinka drills a peach of a backhand down the line for 0-15. But then he crashes a forehand long. At 15-all, Murray absorbs some aggression and Wawrinka knocks a forehand just wide. Wawrinka winces. At 30-all, he overcooks another forehand. He’s still looking dangerous, though. He forces deuce with a lovely forehand from right to left. Murray has to be careful. He has chances to polish off the game, but Wawrinka isn’t letting him squirm clear yet. Murray’s having occasional problems with short forehands. He mishits one, gifting Wawrinka the chance to ping a backhand from left to right for the first break point of the set. But Murray’s quickest serve of the match forces Wawrinka to slice a return long. “Let’s go!” Murray cries before holding with two splendid forehands. “Let’s go!” he shouts again, but he’s not specifying a destination yet.
Second set: Murray 7-6, 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): The new balls have arrived. Wawrinka easily holds to love. Murray gives his legs a telling off.
Second set: Murray* 7-6, 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray enjoys a stress-free hold to 30. Wawrinka shoots a withering look at his box.
Second set: Murray 7-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): At 15-all, there’s a sign that Wawrinka’s still thinking about the first set when he punches a curious forehand long at the net. He fights back with two searing winners, though, but a wayward backhand takes the game to deuce. A crosscourt backhand from Wawrinka catches a piece of the line, though, and he clings on with a backhand down the line. A huge hold.
Second set: Murray* 7-6, 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server): That opening set is bound to have taken a lot out of both men. Maybe more out of Wawrinka, who will be so disappointed at how he dealt with a 5-3 lead and his set point in the tie-break. Murray was under the cosh as it wore on, but he was both stubborn and brilliant enough to capitalise on Wawrinka’s generosity. He begins this second set with a hold to 15.
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Andy Murray wins the first set 7-6!
First set tie-break: Murray* 8-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka wildly nets a frustrated forehand return off a second serve to hand the set to Murray! Murray clenches his fist. I’m not sure how he’s made off with that one.
First set tie-break: Murray 7-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): This is amazing. Murray stands up to everything Wawrinka throws at him. Then he hangs an absurd lob over Wawrinka to seize control of the rally. Wawrinka keeps the rally alive, but Murray wins it with a forehand to earn his first set point!
First set tie-break: Murray 6-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka nets a backhand and lets out a cry of frustration! Incredible! Murray’s off the hook. For now. Stress levels are rising.
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First set tie-break: Murray* 5-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka celebrates after winning a stunning battle of reactions at the net with one final backhand volley! He has a set point at last! Murray has chucked this tie-break away.
First set tie-break: Murray* 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Awful from Murray. He’s generous with a forehand at the net. He doesn’t take a chance to smash. He lifts a backhand long.
First set tie-break: Murray 5-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka wallops a serve at Murray, who somehow deflects it back. Wawrinka wallops a forehand at Murray. But Murray, so solid, skelps a forehand past him!
First set tie-break: Murray 4-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka wears Murray down with a rasping forehand.
First set tie-break: Murray* 4-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray nets a forehand. Ouch.
First set tie-break: Murray* 4-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka gives Murray a hefty dig in the jaw with a backhand from left to right. He should win the point. Instead his forehand clips the tape and deflects wide! What a let-off for Murray.
First set tie-break: Murray 3-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka skitters a forehand long.
First set tie-break: Murray 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray nets a backhand return.
First set tie-break: Murray* 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray leaves a blocked Wawrinka backhand – the wind almost embarrasses him, but it falls inches wide.
First set tie-break: Murray* 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray misses a backhand down the line. Blame the wind.
First set tie-break: Murray 1-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka begins with a double-fault.
First set: Murray* 6-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server): A low Murray forehand surprises Wawrinka, who’s off balance as he nets. The wind’s starting to have an impact. At 30-0, for example, it drags a Murray drop shot spinning off in a dizzyingly strange direction, before a Wawrinka forehand drops wide. Murray holds to 30. Just.
First set: Murray 5-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): A beautiful inside-out forehand from Wawrinka makes it 15-0. He’s so very good to watch. Another one sets him up for a clobbered forehand volley, making it 30-0. A smash makes it 40-15. Wawrinka grits his teeth, trusts in his forehand and holds to 30. Murray will serve to force a tie-break.
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First set: Murray* 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray still has to hold to keep the set alive. It won’t be if he flounders on serve again. But he doesn’t need me to tell him that. A big forehand down the line makes it 30-0. Wawrinka tries a drop shot during a gruelling rally. But it’s an obvious one. Murray reads it and makes it. 40-0. Wawrinka slips when returning, meaning Murray’s able to hold to love.
First set: Murray 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Serving for the set, Wawrinka begins with his 10th forehand error. He missed it by a fair old distance. For a moment, it seems Murray’s heading for a 0-30 lead. But a forehand that looked like it was going to be a winner clips the tape and drifts wide. Wawrinka’s still making errors too, however, and another one makes it 15-30. Murray can’t pull clear. His backhand return off a second serve drifts long. But Wawrinka wallops another forehand wide! It’s a break point for Murray, a lifeline. Can he take it? He can! He produces some phenomenal, scurrying defending behind the baseline to hoist a Wawrinka back into play with a deep lob and you know what’s coming next - another dismal forehand from the third seed, who will be furious with himself after that game.
First set: Murray* 3-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray plants a forehand to the right for 15-0, but two errors make it 15-30. “Allez, allez, allez,” Wawrinka says. This is a big moment in the first set. Murray’s relieved to see Wawrinka net a backhand return off a bouncing second serve. A big serve down the middle makes it 40-30. But a third forehand miss takes the game to deuce and Murray, increasingly all over the shop here, is facing his first break point after his first break point. Wawrinka’s bouncing up and down on the spot. But the net comes to Murray’s rescue again. Wawrinka fires a backhand down the line, but it never makes it as far as Murray. Yet Murray still has work to do and Wawrinka, scenting blood, pounces on a short ball with a monstrous forehand, bringing up a second break point. Murray nets a first serve. They rally off the second. Murray tries a drop shot. That doesn’t work. He approaches the net. But the forehand’s poor, enabling Wawrinka to whip a pass from right to left for the first break! He’ll serve for the set. What a poor game from Murray.
First set: Murray 3-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Wawrinka slaps a forehand into the net for 0-15. That shot does damage on the next three points, however, Murray unable to resist Wawrinka’s power. Wawrinka’s looking strong. Sometimes it’s though he doesn’t realise his own strength, however. He overhits a forehand for 40-30, then sprays another one long to allow Murray to deuce. But Murray can’t eke out a break point. Wawrinka finds some accuracy and holds.
First set: Murray* 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Murray rattles through three excellent points to lead 40-0. He holds to love thanks to a superb second serve.
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First set: Murray 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray mishits a backhand, allowing Wawrinka to romp forward and spank a forehand to the left for 15-0. Then he completely balloons a backhand to make it 30-0. Wawrinka shows him how it’s done, flaying a backhand from left to right for 40-0, ripping another down the line to hold to love. This is building nicely.
First set: Murray* 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server): There are still plenty of empty seats in the stands, which is utterly pathetic. Imagine not turning up on time for this, a grand slam semi-final between the world No1 and the world No3. They’re both at a high level already. Murray makes it 30-0 with a spinning drop shot. Wawrinka makes it 30-15 with a rollocking forehand. At 40-15, Murray takes a high ball out of the air with a swinging forehand - but he sends it straight to the Wawrinka backhand, which isn’t the greatest of ideas. Instead of an easy hold, suddenly Murray’s under pressure for the first time when Wawrinka brutalises a second serve, forcing deuce. He finds his serve again, however, and holds.
First set: Murray 1-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): Murray wins his first point on the Wawrinka serve, the Swiss pulling a forehand wide for 0-15. A couple of Wawrinka errors on the forehand side sees the game go to 30-all and Murray carves out a break point with a fine backhand drop shot. Wawrinka comes to the net. Murray tries to beat him with a couple of lobs, but he can’t get enough purchase on either, allowing Wawrinka to smash effectively for deuce. He holds with a forehand winner.
First set: Murray* 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server): Wawrinka has started confidently, but he allows Murray to take a 40-15 lead after three errant forehands. Murray holds with a clever forehand back behind Wawrinka.
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First set: Murray 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server): With the sun peeking out from behind the clouds, Stan Wawrinka begins the first men’s semi-final with an ace out wide. Andy Murray has a look at the mark, but it’s good, and so’s a backhand down the line for 30-0. Murray attacks on the next point, but he doesn’t do enough with a forehand approach and Wawrinka crashes a forehand pass out of reach for 40-0 before holding to love.
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up. Stan Wawrinka won the toss and elected to serve first.
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Here they come, walking out on to Philippe-Chatrier. It’s far from full at the moment, but the fans should turn up soon.
Stan Wawrinka has hit 70 forehand winners and 36 backhand winners so far. Andy Murray’s defence will have to be impeccable.
Andy Murray has made it this far by beating Andrey Kuznetsov 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, Martin Klizan 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, Juan Martin del Potro 7-6, 7-5, 7-0, Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1.
Stan Wawrinka has made it this far by beating Jan Kovalik 6-2, 7-6, 6-3, Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-6, 7-5, Fabio Fognini 7-6, 6-0, 6-2, Gael Monfils, 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 and Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Preamble
Hello. What might seem certain one day won’t necessarily be the case the next, whether in life, politics or sport. Things change. Events occur. You go running through a field of wheat. You come out the other side a different person.
A year ago, Novak Djokovic was untouchable at the top of the men’s game, the ruler of the tennis universe, the holder of all four slams, the destroyer of Andy Murray’s hopes and dreams; he was the unforgiving cyborg who made Murray wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. Now he’s walking through the streets in dirty clothes, swigging from a carton of milk, and he hasn’t shaved for days. He’s stuffing his face with gluten. He’s a busted flush.
As for Murray, he was by common consent a remarkably good player and a worthy champion, but at no point had anyone ever regarded him as the world’s best. That would change. But you’re a liar if you say you saw it coming.
After all, there were suggestions that Murray had slipped behind Stan Wawrinka when the pair met in the French Open semi-finals last year. Wawrinka was the defending champion and he had picked up two grand slam titles since Murray’s second, at Wimbledon in 2013, and the Swiss had closed their head-to-head record to 7-8 thanks to three consecutive wins over the Scot.
Yet Murray played his finest ever match on clay to beat Wawrinka in four sets. If he can produce that level again this afternoon, he’ll have a wonderful chance of reaching his second successive final in Paris, against either Dominic Thiem or Rafael Nadal.
Wawrinka, however, has other ideas. The 2015 champion has been in stonking form over the past fortnight, is yet to drop a set all tournament and demolished Marin Cilic on Wednesday. Murray, meanwhile, wasn’t entirely convincing in his quarter-final win over Kei Nishikori. He hasn’t been convincing all year. He was expected to dominate the sport after displacing Djokovic at the top of the rankings, but it hasn’t worked out that way - not yet. The surprise renaissance of Roger Federer and Nadal was the story of the Australian Open, where Murray followed his shock fourth-round defeat with shingles, flu, injury and poor clay form, and there were plenty of pre-tournament predictions that the world No1 wouldn’t last it past the first week.
Even Murray will admit that his confidence was near rock bottom when he arrived in Paris. But here he is in another grand slam semi-final, two matches away from winning his fourth major after coming up with a run that mostly underlines how little anyone knows about anything. Gambling really is for suckers.
Play begins at 11.45am BST, 12.45pm in Paris.
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