So that’s that, Novak Djokovic is into the final after a straight sets victory over Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem, who is guaranteed to start next week inside the top 10 of the men’s rankings. And there was no rain, not a drop! The tennis really was beautiful at times and thanks for reading, tweeting and emailing. Bye!
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Well, it never really looked in doubt did it? Djokovic breezed through the second set, after dominating the first. He encountered a brief bit of trouble in the third, only to dust himself down and showcase some of his best tennis, including perhaps one of the best shots of the tournament. The Serbian’s unstoppable forehand past the Austrian youngster, Dominic Thiem, proved an instant hit with the watching Roland Garros crowd too, who have had to be patient for such a showing in recent days. Thiem showed some admirable glimpses but Djokovic deservedly prevailed. “He plays with a lot of power from both corners, he has a good variety, he’s young and this is his first semi-final but he probably felt his nerves a little bit,” says Djokovic, who remained remarkably calm throughout, just 24 hours after throwing his racket around against Tomas Berdych.
Djokovic says he’s off to watch the final stages of Murray v Wawrinka over on Phillipe-Chatrier. Maybe you should do the same:
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Roland Garros has been sent into a frenzy of rapturous applause. Djokovic now proving the real family man too, posing with ball boys and girls on court. It looks as though it could be another Djokovic v Murray final, with the Scotsman two sets up against Stan Wawrinka. This will indeed be Djokovic’s sixth consecutive Grand Slam final, and his third in a row in Paris, as Nathan Human and Aarshi Joshi have clarified on email.
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Novak Djokovic wins the third set 6-4 and reaches French Open final!
Djokovic clinches victory! A huge scream from Djokovic as the Serbian forces deuce, before Thiem twice obliged upon Djokovic’s errors before Thiem made a mistake of his own. Djokovic’s unstoppable forehand fell awkward for Thiem, who could only return wide. The No1 is into the final.
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Victory in sight for Djokovic? Thiem plays his backhand just a little too long and Djokovic clenches his fist. It feels as though he is just around the corner from victory now.
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Djokovic is serving for a place in the final then.
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Third set: Djokovic 5-4 Thiem. Djokovic ends the game wastefully, just as we were lauding his brilliance. Thiem seizes his chance before the Serbian drops a shot too long to give Thiem a very flaky lifeline of sorts.
Djokovic is now putting on the ultimate masterclass for us, which is nice. The No1 has been in sumptuous form, typified by his latest thunderous forehand. Djokovic now seemingly heading for his fourth victory in as many days.
Third set: Djokovic 5-3 Thiem. It’s one-way traffic now, with Djokovic just one game away from securing his place in the French Open final. Thiem continues his offensive game but simply too few of his missiles have done enough damage. There’s no hiding place for Thiem as Djokovic wraps up another game, with a blistering low shot.
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Third set: Djokovic 4-3 Thiem. That shot was enough for the Serbian to complete a swift turnaround in this set, and he’s now just a mere few shots from reaching a sixth consecutive Roland Garros final.
Crikey, Djokovic plays one of the shots of the tournament. That was just stunning. A striking forehand finds a crevice of the court markings to Thiem’s left. It’s delightful, and too much for Thiem. Djokovic duly raises his hand to celebrate, soaking up applause from a starstruck French Open crowd.
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Third set: Djokovic 3-3 Thiem. Thiem is earning admirers, Djokovic among them and rightly so. But it’s not counting for a lot on Suzanne-Lenglen. Thiem makes another unforced error, this one his 30th of the match, to gift Djokovic the game. The world No1 has pulled level from three games dow. He’s been quite remarkable.
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Both players’ movement has been somewhat stupendous. This time Thiem has Djokovic skating from left-to-right, but the Austrian’s forehand is just too strong for his opponent. Djokovic, for the third time this match, applauds the youngster’s monstrous shot.
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Third set: Djokovic 2-3 Thiem. A wry smile from Djokovic, as Thiem’s joy now feels an awful long time ago. Djokovic restores order and you have to feel that Thiem is unlikely to damage Djokovic in that way once more. Andy Murray, much like Djokovic, is in prime position over on Phillipe-Chatrier.
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A hefty 30-shot rally results in Djokovic regaining his composure. He takes a 15-0 lead in this fifth game. Thiem appears to be the architect of his own downfall, as a double-fault again gives Djokovic a helping hand.
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Third set: Djokovic 1-3 Thiem. The No1 restores a little order.
Third set: Djokovic 0-3 Thiem. Suddenly Thiem is in the ascendency. He digs out two aces, and finds himself in the box-seat, for this set at least.
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Third set: Djokovic 0-2 Thiem. He’s only gone and done it. Thiem steals the immediate focus away from Djokovic. The Austrian leads in the third set, forcing his coach Gunter Bresnik, who has stuck with him since 2002, into punching the air with joy.
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A glimmer of hope for Thiem? He races into a 0-30 lead on Djokovic’s serve.
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Just the ticket, and the start Thiem wanted. The Austrian takes a 0-1 lead in the first game of this third set. There seems a renewed belief from the 22-year-old. Meanwhile, Andy Murray has taken the first set against Stan Wawrinka:
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Djokovic starts the serving of this third set at Roland Garros. Thiem left the court momentarily after the second set during the interval. He’ll doubtless be hoping to start all over again.
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Novak Djokovic wins the second set 6-1!
Djokovic has been magnificent, and is in quite the unforgiving mood. Thiem’s high-octane and powerful game is admirable, but it’s gaining him little headway in this contest. Djokovic, it seems, on course to reach the French Open final yet again.
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Two set points for Djokovic.
Second set: Djokovic 5-1 Thiem. Djokovic takes a double-break and is serving for the set. Is Novak Djokovic edging closer to that French Open final on Sunday?
Djokovic is showing his very own stripes, against his animal-clad opponent. Thiem is on the back foot again here. 40-15 the Serbian leads in the sixth.
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Second set: Djokovic 4-1 Thiem. There’s some encouraging applause from the crowd as Thiem gets himself back in the fifth game here. But it’s short-lived as Djokovic, so ruthless, stamps his authority once more.
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Back on Suzanne-Lenglen, Thiem looks exasperated and incredibly frustrated. He rescues Djokovic’s first game point with his first ace of the day but not the second. Djokovic, then, assumes total control of this semi-final.
Over at Phillipe-Chatrier, Andy Murray is doing A-OK, and leads 5-4 in the first set. That one’s here, with Jacob Steinberg:
Second set: Djokovic 2-1 Thiem. The Serbian raced through the third game then, in a bid to comfortably erase the second. Djokovic has no intention of allowing Thiem a way back, after taking the first set in devastating fashion.
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The No1 responds. Djokovic races into a 40-0 lead.
Second set: Djokovic 1-1 Thiem. It looks as though Thiem’s physical approach is starting to pay off. His movement equally has been superb and he’s pushed Djokovic into playing difficult shots. Thiem’s powerful forehand clinches this one at 40-15.
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Second set: Djokovic 1-0 Thiem. Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, duly leans forward in appreciation. Thiem has made 20 unforced errors so far and Djokovic just five, which kind of says it all.
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Djokovic made pretty easy work of that, wrapping up the first set in just 40 minutes. He’s started the second set rather well too, as has Thiem. So, 30-30 it is, in the first game of this second set.
Novak Djokovic wins the first set 6-2!
Another unforced error from Thiem allows Djokovic a sniff of the set, and this time he obliges. The No1 is just too good for Thiem at the moment.
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Thiem is not having any of it, though, and bites back towards deuce. Djokovic, again, applauds his opponent.
Two set points for Djokovic. Djokovic 40-15 Thiem.
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Dominic Thiem is not all bad, though. He seems extremely humble, and he even operates his own official Facebook page, posting reaction to matches in German and English. Lovely stuff.
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Djokovic roars, quite literally, to lead 5-2. And I’m pretty sure I just lip-read Thiem exclaim “scheisse”, and we all know what that means. Thiem frustrated, Djokovic delighted.
We go to deuce. Thiem fails to return Djokovic’s forehand with enough power to lift it over the net.
Thiem is beginning to dent Djokovic here. At the net, the Austrian looks instinctive. He leads 40-30, and earns a break point opportunity against Djokovic now.
The last game was a whopping seven minutes, the longest of the match so far.
First set: Djokovic 4-2 Thiem. Djokovic gives the thumbs-up to the young Austrian (22 to be precise) for a wondrous drop shot. But Thiem, roared on vociferously by the support, just about manages to shift Djokovic. He made hard work of it, with more first serve errors, but Djokovic made a few faults of his own too.
First set: Djokovic 4-1 Thiem. Just over 20 minutes played and it’s breathtaking from Djokovic, who skates across the clay at Roland Garros to make it 30-0. Thiem then played a lethal forehand to make it 30-15 before Djokovic duly moved up a gear, to secure the fifth game.
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First set: Djokovic 3-1 Thiem. Thiem is on the board, as such. Thiem wastes his first advantage at deuce but not the second. Djokovic, this time, screws his drop shot wide before the No1 rattles one into the net.
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Thiem could certainly do with making a few more first serves. He has managed just 5/11 so far. This is better, though, and twice he puts Djokovic on the back foot with his first serve before misfiring to go 30-40. We’re now at deuce.
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Djokovic is beginning to set the tone. His fourth match in as many days, the No1 seems pretty set on dictating the pace. The Serbian ends a pulsating 23-shot rally on the right end, and has just dusted off Thiem to lead 3-0.
The ideal start for Novak Djokovic. Thiem plays an aggressive and powerful forehand to make his mark and register his first points of the match. But a double fault soon spells early trouble for Thiem. The game then moves towards deuce, where Djokovic prevails. Djokovic leads 2-0.
So, racket-throwing Djokovic has got off to a flying start, taking the first game here. Thiem, who is guaranteed to be in the top 10 after a memorable few days in France, is still to find his groove.
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And we’re off! A place in the Roland Garros final awaits ...
The Suzanne-Lenglen is a little busier for this one. No rain at the moment but the temperature is a rather chilly 12 degrees.
So here it is, and here I am, as the zebra-striped Thiem and Djokovic, who needs little introduction are out on court warming up ahead of the French Open semi-final. Do get in touch via ben.fisher@theguardian.com or tweet @benfisherj.
Afternoon all. The battle between world No1 Novak Djokovic and and Austrian wunderkind Dominic Thiem will be live, right here, very shortly.
She wasn’t at her best again but Serena Williams had enough to see off a spirited underdog. Kiki Bertens had her chances, especially in the first set, but she couldn’t take them and her dream run to a first grand slam semi-final ends in disappointment. Williams was too strong in the end and it should be a great final. She beat Muguruza in the Wimbledon final last year - but she lost to the Spaniard at Roland Garros two years ago. Anything could happen. That’s all from me in this blog. I’m off to cover Andy Murray versus Stan Wawrinka.
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Serena Williams beats Kiki Bertens 7-6, 6-4!
A forehand goes long from Bertens at 40-30 and Serena Williams is through to face Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final tomorrow!
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Kiki Bertens has shown tremendous spirit this afternoon. She saves three match points in gritty style and holds to trail 5-4 in the second set. Williams will have to serve for the match.
Williams holds to 30 from 0-30 down. A second serve ace does the job. She leads 7-6, 5-3.
And having survived that scare, Williams rips into a forehand to break in the very next game. She leads 7-6, 4-3.
Back on Philippe-Chatrier, Serena Williams saves two break points to hold for 3-3 in the second set.
Garbine Muguruza beats Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-4!
The Spaniard looks like she’s about to completely break down when she double-faults to make it 15-30. Think again. She roars back with two aces to set up a match point at last and she reaches her first French Open final when Stosur, backpedalling furiously, nets a forehand!
Sam Stosur, still slugging, holds to 30 to trail 6-2, 5-4. Garbine Muguruza, her shoulders slumped, will serve for the match again.
Serena Williams has broken back for 2-2. Oh.
The end was nigh for Sam Stosur - but there’s still a chink of light for the Australian, who breaks back for 5-3 in the second set when Garbine Muguruza serves for the match.
With a touch more poise, Kiki Bertens would be a set up. But she’s shaken off the disappointment of losing it on a tie-break and she’s grabbed an early break in the second set.
Over on Suzanne-Lenglen, the end is nigh for Sam Stosur. She double-faults on a break point and Garbine Muguruza will serve for the match at 6-2, 5-2.
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Serena Williams wins the first set 7-6!
First-set tie-break: Williams* 9-7 Bertens (*denotes server): Williams makes no mistake at the net after a huge serve this time and somehow she’s nabbed the first set!
First-set tie-break: Williams 8-7 Bertens* (*denotes server): Williams wallops a backhand return away off a second serve.
First-set tie-break: Williams 7-7 Bertens* (*denotes server): A second set point for Bertens goes begging as she nets a forehand.
First-set tie-break: Williams* 6-7 Bertens (*denotes server): Williams botches another volley! I’ve no idea what she was trying to do there - but Bertens has a set point!
First-set tie-break: Williams* 6-6 Bertens (*denotes server): Williams throws everything at Bertens, who somehow hangs in there - and then she fluffs an easy volley at the net! On we go.
First-set tie-break: Williams 6-5 Bertens* (*denotes server): Bertens slams a forehand wide! A poor miss and Williams has a set point.
First-set tie-break: Williams 5-5 Bertens* (*denotes server): Williams tears a forehand into the net.
First-set tie-break: Williams* 5-4 Bertens (*denotes server): What a comeback from Bertens! She pings a backhand down the line and Williams has no riposte!
First-set tie-break: Williams* 5-3 Bertens (*denotes server): Bertens plays this point fabulously, teeing herself up for a forehand winner down the line.
First-set tie-break: Williams 5-2 Bertens* (*denotes server): Bertens goes too long with a forehand. Williams is in control.
First-set tie-break: Williams 4-2 Bertens* (*denotes server): A snorter of a return from Williams.
First-set tie-break: Williams* 3-2 Bertens (*denotes server): Another fine angle from Williams.
First-set tie-break: Williams* 2-2 Bertens (*denotes server): An outstanding point, Bertens trying to beat Williams with a couple of passing shots, the world No1 winning it with a forehand volley.
First-set tie-break: Williams 1-2 Bertens* (*denotes server): Bertens comes up with a fine forehand down the line.
First-set tie-break: Williams 1-1 Bertens* (*denotes server): Williams cancels out the mini-break with a well judged backhand.
First-set tie-break: Williams* 0-1 Bertens (*denotes server): Williams nets a forehand. Bertens earns the first mini-break.
Bertens holds. We’ll have a tie-break!
Williams holds for 6-5. The balance of power is shifting. Bertens will serve to stay in the first set. “I have the day off work, wife and child out for the day, I’m currently enjoying cheese, crackers and beer, and later on I’m off to Sophia Gardens to watch Glamorgan smash Hampshire,” says Matt Dony. “Until then, thoroughly enjoying Bertens playing with insane composure, and Serena being Serena. Three set epic, please, with Bertens winning 10-8 in the third, having overcome the leg trouble.”
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Serena Williams breaks back! She was down 30-15 but she benefited from a fortunate net cord before earning a break point with a drop shot, a tactic she’s using to good effect against Bertens, whose movement is restricted by her calf injury. She converts the break point easily and it’s 5-5 in the first set.
Garbine Muguruza is surely heading for the final. The Spaniard leads Sam Stosur by a set and a break on Suzanne-Lenglen.
Bertens fritters away a set point, netting a forehand, and Williams holds to trail 5-4. Now the world No58 will have to serve for the first set. Nervous?
Kiki Bertens is a game away from the first set. She holds for 5-3 and Williams will serve to stay in it.
Garbine Muguruza wins the first set 6-2!
Very impressive and very aggressive from the Spaniard as she earns a set point by thrashing through a forehand volley. Sam Stosur is on the ropes and the first set’s over when the Australian sends a backhand return long. Muguruza is a set away from her first French Open final.
Bertens has been very composed so far. She holds to 15 to lead 4-2 and the crowd - well, the people who’ve turned up - are behind her now. Meanwhile Garbine Muguruza is serving for the first set against Sam Stosur. “Rafa will enjoy his 30th birthday, but it will be bittersweet,” says Olga. “He bought himself a beautiful new yacht so hopefully he will be resting his wrist and relaxing. He is missed! Very sad to see so few people but the weather looks bleak.”
A couple of potentially costly misses from Bertens sees her pass up the opportunity for a double break. The game goes to deuce. Bertens has a third break point but Williams comes up with an ace at a good time and eventually holds to trail 3-2 in the first set.
Garbine Muguruza is flying on Suzanne-Lenglen - not literally - and has broken again against Sam Stosur. She leads 3-0.
It’s Rafael Nadal’s birthday today. I wonder what he’s up to. He’s probably fishing.
The atmosphere is so flat out there. It can’t help the players.
And ... play! The women’s semi-finals are underway. And Serena Williams has made an awful start, double-faulting at 30-40 to hand Kiki Bertens an early break. Sam Stosur has also dropped serve in the opening game over on Suzanne-Lenglen, Garbine Muguruza already on top.
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Tok! Tok! Tokity tok! They’re knocking up. Serena Williams will serve first on Philippe-Chatrier, Sam Stosur will open proceedings on Suzanne-Lenglen.
On a freezing day in Paris, once again the courts are sparsely populated. Well played, weather. Well played. But the players are out and soon we’ll have tennis!
One problem for Kiki Bertens? Serena Williams. Another? She’s struggling with a calf injury. That could be the difference.
Preamble
None of your nonsense today, Mother Nature. How about you take a back seat for a bit, eh? No one’s here to see you. They’re here to see Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem, Serena Williams and Kiki Bertens, and Garbine Muguruza and Sam Stosur. No thanks to the weather, we’ve finally reached semi-finals day at the French Open. The schedule has taken a fair old battering from the rain, but here we are, with the men’s and the women’s semis to get us through to pub time.
The women are on first and who knows what to expect? All eyes will be on Serena after she sailed dangerously close to the wind in her quarter-final win over Yulia Putintseva, fighting back from a set and a break down to beat the world No60 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. It was a wonderfully weird performance from the world No1 - Putintseva was a point away from serving from the match - and she seemed to be fighting herself at times, but she got there in the end. And as a nice surprise, Williams gets to play Bertens, the world No58, instead of eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky. Bertens is 24, she’s Dutch and this is her first grand slam semi-final.
The winner will face either Muguruza or Stosur in tomorrow’s final. Stosur, the 2011 US Open champion, has rolled back the years this week but the Australian will have her work cut out against the Spaniard, the world No4.
Once those matches are done, it’s over to the men. I’ll be providing live coverage of Murray v Wawrinka elsewhere, while this blog concentrates on Djokovic v Thiem. The world No1 is chasing his first French Open title - but he’ll be wary of the challenge from the rising young Austrian, who beat David Goffin yesterday to reach his first grand slam semi-final.
Could we be treated to a couple of upsets today? We’ll soon find out. As long as the weather doesn’t get in the way, we’ll all be happy.
Play begins: 12pm BST, 1pm in Paris, 9pm AEST.
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