Kevin Mitchell's reports
Andy Murray’s semi-final opponent on Friday will be Stan Wawrinka, just as it was last year. He was absolutely superb that day, beating the 2015 champion in four sets, and he leads their head-to-head 10-7. Wawrinka’s your man for the big occasion, however, and predicting that one isn’t easy. The US Open champion was outstanding against Marin Cilic on Suzanne-Lenglen, dropping only seven games in an hour and 39 minutes. Murray will need to improve on today’s performance against an occasionally inspired Kei Nishikori, although he always looked the likelier winner from the second set onwards. And in any case, reaching another semi-final here is a grand achievement bearing in mind his struggles before arriving in Paris. In the other semi, it’ll be Rafa Nadal against Dominic Thiem. First of all, however, we have the women’s semi-finals tomorrow. Jelena Ostapenko and Timea Bacsinszky, followed by Karolina Pliskova and Simona Halep. John Ashdown will be in the hotseat. That’s all from me for now. Thanks for reading and commenting. Bye!
Updated
Andy Murray speaks. “I needed to start putting more pace on my shots. He was dictating in the first set and making me move a lot. I think [Stan Wawrinka] has played fantastic this tournament so far. He was playing great last year and I had to play one of my best clay court matches to win.”
Andy Murray beats Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1!
Serving for the match, Murray rams a backhand down the line for 30-0. Nishikori, mustering belated resistance, taps a volley out of reach for 30-15, but he nets a forehand return to give Murray two match points. Murray only needs one. He swings a serve out wide and Nishikori, utterly drained, can do nothing with a forehand return. He’s through to his fifth semi-final here. It’ll be his 21st grand slam semi-final overall.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 5-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori is effectively serving to stay in the match here. But he’s running out of steam. He butchers two forehands and nets a backhand to make it 0-40. He pulls it back to 30-40, but Murray decides he’s had enough, crashing a forehand return off a second serve. Nishikori, flailing and sinking, blocks wide.
Fourth set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 4-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray consolidates the break with a stress-free hold to love. He’s found his serve.
Fourth set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 3-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Trailing 0-15, Nishikori ties himself up in knots. Murray hangs a high ball into the air. Nishikori smashes straight back at him. Murray bangs a forehand at him, jamming Nishikori, who nets a volley for 0-30, and it’s 15-40 when the eighth seed clips a forehand wide. Nishikori saves the first, carefully watching another high ball before putting a brave smash away. Then, some absurdity. Murray drop shots. Nishikori dinks. The ball ends up being lofted over Murray. But he scampers back and lifts another lob over Nishikori. A short baseline rally ensues, but Nishikori swiftly ends it by knocking a backhand down the line wide. Murray breaks. He’s won three straight games since being broken.
Fourth set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 2-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): With an almost Gallic wave, Murray drop shots to perfection - and to the point of extravagance - to lead 15-0. Another drop shot’s far too predictable, however, and Nishikori makes it 15-all with a smash. The next two points are shared as well. Nishikori’s remembering New York. He’s remembering that he’s done this before. Murray makes it 40-30, volleying proficiently, but drop shotting is a decent ploy from Nishikori, who forces deuce. However Murray hammers an ace down the middle - his second of the match - and another out wide to seal a gritty hold.
Fourth set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Murray hangs his head after netting a forehand to make it 30-all. More muttering, more chuntering. He really doesn’t like his legs today. Nishikori proceeds to make it 40-30, whistling a backhand down the line and winning the point with a forehand down the opposite flank, but the game goes to deuce after a lengthy rally. Murray has a break point when Nishikori steers a volley wide. Murray has a break when Nishikori plonks a forehand wide.
Updated
Fourth set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 0-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): Before anyone writes off Nishikori, it’s worth remembering that he beat Murray from this position in New York last year. It’s not over yet. Especially with Murray still in the kind of erratic form that sees him double-fault for 15-30. Nishikori, breathing fire again, makes it 30-40 with a forehand winner, much to Murray’s chagrin, and he takes it, making good use of a net cord to win the rally with a backhand from left to right. It’s limp stuff again from Murray, who was so dominant in the tie-break.
Andy Murray wins the third set 7-6; he leads 2-6, 6-1, 7-6!
Third set tie-break: Murray* 7-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray only needs one. Nishikori nets a forehand return and angrily chucks his racket to the floor. After a bizarre set, Murray’s a set away from another semi-final with Stan Wawrinka, who’s clobbered Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
Updated
Third set tie-break: Murray* 6-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): Nishikori nets a backhand after failing to do enough with a smash. Murray has six set points.
Third set tie-break: Murray 5-0 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori pulls a backhand wide. This has run away from him quickly.
Third set tie-break: Murray 4-0 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori, blinking in the sun, double-faults.
Third set tie-break: Murray* 3-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): Nishikori wallops a forehand return long.
Third set tie-break: Murray* 2-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): Nishikori nets an attempted backhand down the line.
Third set tie-break: Murray 1-0 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori sends a forehand horribly long. What does it all mean?
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 6-6 Nishikori (*denotes server): Nishikori broke back immediately when he dropped his serve midway through this set. If he can’t do that again here, he’ll have a mountain to climb. Perhaps his biggest hope is that Murray’s focus drops again. There’s every chance, evidence of which arrives when he duffs a crosscourt backhand drop shot into the net for 0-15. Soon it’s 0-30. Nishikori mishits a return, but it drops in and he forces Murray to net a forehand. It was never going to be simple, was it? Sure enough, Nishikori earns two break points with a savage backhand down the line, Murray stumbling as he tries to reach it. Nishikori promptly turns up the heat and Murray overcooks a forehand. Ouch.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 6-5 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori has noticeably been trying to shorten points in the past five or 10 minutes, but he begins this game with a wretched drop shot to make it 0-15. Then comes another error, a wild forehand that flies off to the right, making it 0-30. This is a wonderful chance for Murray, who seizes two break points when he steps inside the baseline and pummels a forehand into the left corner. Nishikori’s backhand dribbles into the net. Another rally ensues, but Nishikori wilts, netting another backhand. Murray breaks. He’ll serve for the third set.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 5-5 Nishikori (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Murray makes it 15-0 with his first ace. Decent timing. He holds to love with a backhand pass. Time for some new balls.
Updated
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 4-5 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori judges a high ball well and plants a smash in an unreachable spot to lead 15-0. When he tries to serve and volley, Murray sees him coming and wins the point with a low backhand return, but Nishikori makes it 30-15 by doing just enough with a volley. Murray was almost there. But Nishikori pulls clear. He approaches the net at 40-15, but Nishikori picks his spot with a backhand down the line. Murray, who led by a break 15 minutes ago, will serve to stay in the set.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 4-4 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray drop shots. It’s not particularly good. But Nishikori does nothing with his riposte and Murray lobs him. He wins the point with a smash for 15-0. From there, he holds to love, polishing it off with another smash.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 3-4 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Rejuvenated and needlessly encouraged, Nishikori wins the first point with a forehand winner. A cleverly disguised drop shot makes it 40-0 and he holds to love after a late call on a Murray backhand. Murray has to be careful now. He’s in danger of chucking this set away.
Updated
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 3-3 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray wafts a forehand wide to make it 0-15 before an errant drop shot makes it 15-30. Murray sighs. He knows that was the wrong shot. And this is dreadful, a gimme of a volley that flies wide to hand Nishikori two break points. Murray’s furious, Nishikori’s clenching his fist. Murray saves the first, driving a backhand from left to right, but he pulls a forehand wide on the second. That is shocking from the world No1.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 3-2 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Murray cracks a backhand return down the line, causing Nishikori to net a backhand for 0-15. Murray’s intensity is rising. Nishikori nets a forehand to make it 0-30. Another one makes it 0-40. He fights back to 15-40, but Murray doesn’t have to wait long for him to balloon a backhand. Murray breaks. Stan Wawrinka is two sets to the good, meanwhile. The Swiss leads 6-3, 6-3 against Marin Cilic.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 2-2 Nishikori (*denotes server): On Eurosport, the estimable Mats Wilander is still concerned for Murray. He reckons he still looks sluggish. More passive hitting allows Nishikori to wallop a forehand to the left for 15-all and Murray’s fifth double-fault makes it 15-30. Wilander’s argument is gaining traction. “He’s boiling inside now, Murray,” Wilander says. So he drags Nishikori forward with a drop shot and drills a backhand down the line for 30-all. He holds with another drop shot. Nishikori slipped, but he probably wasn’t making that anyway.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 1-2 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori finds the line with a forehand. Murray’s annoyed with his poor return, so he smacks his legs with his racket. They can consider themselves warned. But Nishikori, playing more like he did in the first set, holds to 15 with a canny drop shot.
Third set: Murray* 2-6, 6-1, 1-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): On Suzanne-Lenglen, Stan Wawrinka is a set and a break up against Marin Cilic. There’s a chance the 2015 champion will be back in the locker room before this one’s done. Although this is a speedy game, Murray holding to 15 without much of a fuss.
Third set: Murray 2-6, 6-1, 0-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): This has been a speedy match so far: the first set of Djokovic-Thiem took longer to settle than these first two sets. Nishikori begins the third with a hold to 15. He looked sharper in that game.
Andy Murray wins the second set 6-1 to level the match!
Looking for set points, Nishikori makes Murray wait, chopping a backhand volley past him to make it 30-15. But Murray grabs them with a backhand drop shot, a skill that eluded him at the start of the match. Nishikori saves the first with a backhand return down the line, only to weakly net a forehand.
Updated
Second set: Murray 2-6, 5-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. For the first time, there’s a hint of weariness about Nishikori, who’s starting to miss. Murray will home in on any sign of physical weakness and he earns two break points with rhythmic hitting from the baseline. Nishikori saves the first with a searing forehand, but he decides to leave a Murray backhand at the last - and the ball drops just inside the baseline!
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 4-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate the break, Murray begins the game by netting a forehand. He could do with the umpire telling him his beard’s rubbish here. Or that he’s the worst dresser on tour. Especially when a double-fault makes it 15-30. Now he’s complaining about something, possibly the overhead camera, and he’s relieved to see Nishikori blooter a forehand long for 30-all. But Nishikori attacks off a second serve and earns a break point, only to offer Murray a target down the middle with a second serve. Nishikori stretches and knocks a forehand long, but he has another chance when Murray, still agitated by the overhead camera, double-faults for the fourth time. Nishikori has a chance with a backhand down the line, his trademark weapon, but he misfires, drilling it into the net. It’s a huge let-off for Murray, whose returning serve allows him to hold at last. He’s still out of sorts, but he is ahead in this set.
Second set: Murray 2-6, 3-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori produces the first ace of the match - with a second serve. Blimey. But Murray’s on him here and Nishikori proceeds to miss two backhands for 15-30. Murray’s doing lots of come-onning and he earns his first break points of the match when a superb defensive lob forces Nishikori to smash way long. That’s the cue for Nishikori to double-fault. On Suzanne-Lenglen, meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka has won the first set of his quarter-final against Marin Cilic 6-3.
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 2-1 Nishikori (*denotes server): Nishikori misses a forehand by a couple of inches, making it 15-0, but he’s the one in control of the rally again. Murray realises he has to step in. He punishes a short return with a rare forehand winner for 30-0. He looks in control at 40-0. Nishikori makes him nervy by winning the next two points, though. Let back into the game, he takes the chance to force deuce, driving through that forehand again. Murray’s struggling with the sun here. For the second time, he’s given a warning for a time violation, meaning he loses his first serve. He isn’t happy. Nishikori proceeds to miss a return. “Let’s go!” Murray yelps. “Come on!” The umpire might just have woken Murray up. “Aaaaahhhhh,” he cries as he holds with a forehand. The crowd’s come alive too.
Second set: Murray 2-6, 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Murray drops another forehand short, allowing Nishikori to pummel a backhand down the line for 15-0. Soon it’s 40-0. Nishikori slaps a forehand down the line for a hold to love.
Second set: Murray* 2-6, 1-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): As good as Nishikori was, Murray’s the world No1 - and he was far too passive and reactive in the first set. There was no fizz on his forehand at all. He has to force the issue more. But Nishikori is still in charge, spanking a forehand away for 30-all. He’s bullying Murray at times. Murray sends out a message with his quickest serve of the match so far and he holds to 30 when Nishikori misses a smash.
Kei Nishikori wins the first set 6-2!
Up by two breaks, Kei Nishikori has a healthy cushion as he serves for the first set. He leads 30-0 when Murray pulls two backhands wide. He has three set points when Murray, on the run, spins on a sixpence, only to hoist a forehand well wide, and he takes the first with a gossamer drop shot. What a wonderful set of tennis from Nishikori!
Updated
First set: Murray* 2-5 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray wins the first point, but Nishikori comes charging back with a brilliant backhand for 15-all, and it’s 15-30 when Murray misses a forehand by a wide margin. Nishikori’s got him on the run here. His forehand’s singing. Murray’s facing two break points - they’re effectively set points - after more fearsome hitting from Nishikori, who takes the first with another superb forehand winner. This has been outstanding stuff from the Japanese star, who will serve for the first set, but pretty rotten from Murray, who’s being thoroughly outplayed. He isn’t offering much and looks very tight.
First set: Murray 2-4 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Nishikori is playing punchy tennis, with his vicious backhand causing Murray plenty of problems. It’s not long before it’s 30-0. Murray has to battle. Nishikori gives him hope with a stinker of a drop shot for 30-15 and an overhit forehand for 30-all. Nishikori opts for a drop shot again. It comes off this time, taking Murray by surprise - that’s a tactic that bore fruit in New York - and Nishikori holds with an explosive forehand.
First set: Murray* 2-3 Nishikori (*denotes server): Murray finally makes a drop shot, moving into a 30-0 lead, before a pinpoint forehand makes it 40-0. He holds to 15.
First set: Murray 1-3 Nishikori* (*denotes server): Murray balloons a backhand return for 15-0. He tries to construct the next point carefully, but Nishikori generates power with a deep backhand that forces a rushed Murray to hit long for 30-0. He makes more errors to hand Nishikori the game to love. It’s been a strangely sloppy start from the world No1.
First set: Murray* 1-2 Nishikori (*denotes server): This is tense stuff at the moment. Both men are defending and moving sharply, while there’s venom in the groundstrokes. But there are also errors off the backhand side and Murray finds himself trailing 15-30. A double-fault hands Nishikori two break points. Murray’s given a warning for a time violation. Then he saves the first break point, Nishikori netting a backhand off a bouncing second serve, but Murray’s serve’s all over the place here. Another double-fault is a gift for Nishikori. Well, that was careless.
Updated
First set: Murray 1-1 Nishikori* (*denotes server): The first two points are shared. Then Murray motors through the gears, rapping a diagonal forehand deep to the right. Nishikori’s stranded as Murray advances to put a forehand to the left for 15-30. Under pressure, Nishikori wins the next two points, the first with a smash, the second with a pinpoint backhand. He holds when Murray nets a drop shot - not for the first time.
First set: Murray* 1-0 Nishikori (*denotes server): It’s the world No1 who gets the match underway, beginning with a dink over the net for 15-0. Nishikori hits back with a rasping forehand down the line, so Murray produces one of his own. The game moves to 40-30, both men in the mood early on. Murray holds when Nishikori nets a backhand.
Simona Halep beats Elina Svitolina 3-6, 7-6, 6-0!
Svitolina was 6-3, 5-1 up. Ouch. Halep will play Karolina Pliskova next.
Updated
The players are out. They’ll be underway soon. Nishikori has had a tricky time making it this far. He was taken to five sets over the course of two days by Hyeon Chung in the third round and was on the wrong end of a bagel in the first set of his previous match against Fernando Verdasco before winning in four. His legs might be rather heavy. Nishikori has had a few injury problems recently.
That was the second five-setter these two played last year. Murray came out on top when they met in the Davis Cup in March, winning 7-5, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. He also got revenge for his New York setback by coming back from a set down to beat the eighth seed in London and leads their head-to-head 8-2.
Next on Philippe-Chatrier: Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori. It’s their first grand slam quarter-final since... the US Open. Murray should have won that one. Murray being Murray, though, he managed to make life absurdly difficult for himself and ended up losing in five sets. “What had looked like a quick night’s work for the world No2 descended into a pain-filled struggle, one marred by controversy, a stray butterfly and his own inability to counter his opponent’s artful play,” Kevin Mitchell wrote. “Murray will remember it for many ups and downs, not least the let and replayed point called against him in the fourth set – the result of an electrical malfunction in the court’s sound system that set off a loud, distracting noise – which seriously unsettled him and contributed significantly to a dramatic loss of focus and, ultimately, the match.”
In another one for the Life of the Mind volumes, Simona Halep has helped herself to two breaks in the decider. She leads 3-6, 7-6, 3-0. Poor Elina Svitolina doesn’t know what to do.
Karolina Pliskova beats Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-4!
Pliskova quickly skips into a 0-30 lead, attacking a tame second serve with a confident forehand return. That one’s not coming back. At 15-30, Pliskova draws Garcia to the net. One volley comes back. But Pliskova cleverly goes for a backhand lob to earn two match points. A big forehand down the line penetrates Garcia’s defences. Pliskova lines up a second one and picks her spot with precision. That’s it. Caroline Garcia’s fine tournament comes to a disappointing end, but she receives generous applause from the crowd as she leaves the court.
Updated
Thanks to Tom for stepping in. It’s been eventful. On Philippe-Chatrier, Karolina Plislova is a game away from the last four. Caroline Garcia will serve at 6-7, 4-5.
Simona Halep wins second set tiebreak 8-6 to level at one set all!
Thrilling tennis agains as Halep claws it back to level the match. Svitolina had looked down and rattled in the early stages of her previous service game but she’s pulled things together a little now and she changes ends in the tiebreak a mini-break up at 4-2, but a string of errors helps Halep go 5-4 up before another stunning winner down the line steadies things. Another forehand winner at the net delivers match point, which Halep retrieves with a delicate but brilliant low winner down the line. They change over again at 6-6. An overhit high forehand sails out wide to give Halep her fifth set point, which she wins in fortuitous fashion, a low forehand clipping the net before dobbling over to level the match at one set all.
Phew. At which point I’ll hand you back to Jacob. Don’t go anywhere.
Updated
Svitolina holds for 6-6. Brutal and brilliant this, from both players at different times. Halep traces into a 0-4 lead to gain three set points. The first is saved well after a long rally that Svitolina refuses to yield in; another is retrieved when Halep overhits, and after another brilliant rally dominated by the Romanian she undoes her good work with an unforced error that brings it back to deuce. Another set point is earned with a punishing backhand volley at the net. Again she can’t make it after a dizzyingly long rally is ended by Svitolina’s pinpoint back-of-court forehand passing shot, and Svitolina goes on to hold and take us into a tiebreak.
Over on Philippe-Chatrier it’s gone with serve in the second set so far, with Pliskova 3-2 up and one set up against Garcia.
Another compelling game between Svitolina and Halep goes to deuce – the high point of which is probably an incredible stretched dipping forehand winner from Halep from out wide down the line. It gives her the platform to hold and lead 6-5, having been 1-5 down.
On Philippe-Chatrier it’s similarly close-fought, 1-1 in the second set between Garcia and Pliskova.
Halep breaks back again! Brilliant fighting spirit from the No3 seed. Svitolina’s attempted forehand winner is just over the line for 0-15, and is then given a good working round the back of the court before overhitting beyond the base line for 0-30. A brilliant return gives Halep three back points, the first of which is retrieved with an easy winner at the net, but Halep takes the break with a fierce crosscourt forehand – it’s 5-5 in this set and all to play for.
Svitolina hasn’t been fazed by being broken in the previous game, and returns with style and tenacity to take Halep’s service game to three deuces in a game of several testing long rallies before the Romanian holds. She now trails 4-5, still a break down, but not going quietly.
Pliskova wins first set against Garcia, 7-6 (7-3)
Pliskova earns three set points, and only needs one, a precision backhand down the line, to win the first set after an hour and a quarter. Gripping stuff.
Updated
Halep holds to love and then breaks Svitolina but she needs another one. It’s 3-5 in the second set.
Garcia overhits a forehand out wide to the left of the court to give Pliskova a mini-break at in the tiebreak, which is followed by a double-fault for 1-4. Garcia, though, hits back, winining the next two points brings it back to 3-4.
Garcia v Pliskova first set goes to a tie-break after Pliskova holds. Really hard to call, this one.
A fine instinctive volley at the net keeps Halep in Svitolina’s service game at 40-30, but the authoritative Svitolina is not to be denied and moves into a 5-1 lead. Nearly there.
Over on Philippe-Chatrier, having battled her way back into it, Garcia struggles a tad on her next service game, which is a bit of an epic one – the match’s longest so far. She hands Pliskova a first chance to break when she sends a low drop shot into the net. Pliskova can’t capitalise on it though, against a fierce first serve, nor the next one that presents itself immediately – Garcia’s serve again delivering the goods when needed – but nor can the Frenchwoman easily finish off the game, which has seven deuces. A third break point is saved before Garica finally secures the hold to go 6-5 up.
While that one 15-minute game was going on, things have moved on apace on Suzanne-Lenglen, where Svitolina now leads 4-1, two breaks up, and is closing in on victory.
Updated
A couple of fierce forehand winners from the back of the court help Svitolina to a break point in the first game of the second set against Halep, which the No5 seed takes to seize an early initiative. Svitolina then holds to love to lead 2-0.
Garcia breaks back! Garcia, standing inside the lines, sends a brilliant instinctive forehand winner across the court to earn a break point but Pliskova retrieves it after a remarkable exchange at the net forces Garcia to net. The next break point is converted though, another stunning forehand return of serve. Momentum has shifted in this match and it’s 5-5.
Svitolina wins first set against Halep, 6-3
A glorious backhand down the line from Halep puts her 0-30 ahead on Svitolina’s serve, but the Ukrainian claws it back and then sends a stunning backhand of her own whistling past her opponent to give her a set point, which she can’t capitalise on as Halep forces her into a mistake to bring it back to deuce. The second set point is taken however, as the No3 seed overhits her return.
Updated
There’s not been much between Garcia and Pliskova but an overhit Garcia forehand out wide hands Pliskova a break and set point, which is saved and the home hopeful goes on to hold. Clinging on still at 4-5.
Halep meanwhile holds again to cut the gap on Svitolina to two games, 3-5.
Halep breaks! Having squandered seven break points during this first set, Halep finally converts one at the eighth attempt. She needs another though, as she trails Svitolina 2-5, though she is at least hitting with more conviction now.
Pliskova is made to work hard again on her serve by Garcia, who then undoes her tenacious work by belting an inviting smash straight into the net – “unforced” would be a generous description - to go 3-5 down.
Updated
An easy forehand smash gives Svitolina break and set point against Halep, who this time saves it by dictating from the back of the court and inducing Svitolina to net a stretched return. But Svitolina continues to look in inspired form, and denies her opponent a chance to seal the game twice before the Romanian finally gets off the mark. 1-5
Updated
Garcia unleashes a strong advancing forehand winner against Pliskova’s serve but other than that the Czech serves with real authority to hold comfortably to 15 and move 4-2 up. Halep, meanwhile, is still having a tough old time of it, squandering two break points in a lengthy fifth game in the first set, which Svitolina wins to lead 5-0.
Updated
Garcia stays in touch with a hold to 30 to trail 2-3 against Pliskova, while Simona Halep is now 0-4 down against Svitolina.
World No3 (but second seed here due to Serena Williams being very pregnant) Karolina Pliskova has an early break over Caroline Garcia. She leads 3-1 in the first set.
Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina has raced to a 3-0 lead over Simona Halep, who up until this point has cruised through the tournament without dropping a set!
If you want to see how Thiem did it, here’s match point.
The second set of women’s quarter-finals will be underway shortly. On Philippe-Chatrier, home hopeful Caroline Garcia has arrived on court along with Karolina Pliskova, the world No3. On Suzanne-Lenglen, Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina are knocking up. That’s bound to be an excellent match. I’m going to step away for the time being. Please give a warm welcome to Tom Davies.
Asked if he wanna take a break from tennis:"Trust me,I'm thinking about many things right now".Wow.Novak adds "But I have responsibilities"
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) June 7, 2017
Is Djokovic considering a break? Doesn't rule it out but doesn't know. "We'll see" he says #RG17
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) June 7, 2017
Novak Djokovic speaks to the press
It’s hard to comment on the third set. Nothing was going my way. Just a pretty bad set. All in all, it was decided in the first set. I tried, I lost that crucial break at the beginning of the second and he started serving better. He deserved to win. He was definitely the better player today. I guess he made it difficult. He has really heavy spin and he can play very quick. He has an all-round game. You can easily lose the rhythm, especially from the backhand corner. It was not there for me. Especially in the second part of the match, I was unable to hit the ball well. Many unforced errors. He was getting better as the match progressed. The last couple of tournaments I’ve had some great matches and it’s unfortunate to finish Roland Garros in this way. It’s a fact I’m not playing close to my best. But I’m trying. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This is a whole new situation I’m facing. Not to win a big tournament, it hasn’t happened for a couple of years. Every top player has gone through it. It’s a big challenge, but I’m up for it.”
How often have you seen Djokovic let a match be decided by losing the first set? This is new.
Will Andre Agassi stick around in Djokovic’s camp after this defeat? I think there have to be huge doubts about that relationship now.
This defeat means that Djokovic will slip to No3 in the rankings next week. This is the first time since 2010 that he’s failed to make the last four at Roland Garros.
Djokovic made 35 unforced errors in three sets. He was appalling. His head has gone.
Thiem crushes Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 6-0.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 7, 2017
Djokovic only bageled in final set ONCE before in 984 career matches (Nishikori, Basel 2011)#rg17
Updated
Dominic Thiem speaks. “It’s amazing for me. Before I had a 0-5 head-to-head against him. It was a dream. It was a little bit tricky today, there was wind and it was colder than previous days. It’s amazing how difficult it is to go deep in a grand slam because you have to play the best guys round after round and it’s not getting easier on Friday.”
He plays Rafael Nadal on Friday. It’s going to be Nadal’s toughest match of the tournament. Thiem, remember, is the only man to beat Nadal on clay in 2017. He’ll still be the underdog, but it will help him that he’s been able to get through this one so quickly.
Dominic Thiem beats Novak Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 6-0!
A stunned silence has fallen over the court. The crowd can’t believe what they’re watching. Novak Djokovic, the ultimate fighter, has tanked a set. He’s being pulverised by Dominic Thiem, who seizes three match points when Djokovic makes yet another error. Djokovic being Djokovic, he finally musters some resistance, volleying stoutly at the net to make it 40-15. But it doesn’t last for long. Djokovic charges to the net. This time, Thiem slashes another wonderful backhand down the line to set up a semi-final with the great Rafael Nadal! Don’t write him off. He’s just demolished Novak Djokovic.
Updated
Third set: Djokovic* 6-7, 3-6, 0-5 Thiem (*denotes server): The wheels are coming off. “It looks like he doesn’t want to be on the court,” John McEnroe says, watching Djokovic net a weak forehand for 15-30. If he’s not careful, it’s going to be a bagel. At 30-all, he plonks a forehand long. This is grim viewing. Djokovic knocks a forehand wide and - do not adjust your screen or your eyesight or what’s in your drink - he is a game away from being bagelled.
Updated
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 3-6, 0-4 Thiem* (*denotes server): On Europsot, Mats Wilander reckons Djokovic is in turmoil. Yep. As for Thiem, he’s on one. He lashes a forehand down the line to hold to love.
Third set: Djokovic* 6-7, 3-6, 0-3 Thiem (*denotes server): The Novak Djokovic of 2016 - the first half of 2016, that is - is nowhere to be seen. Three straight errors offer Thiem three break points on a silver platter. Djokovic promptly pulls a backhand wide. That was awful. Thiem breaks again. It would take quite an effort to lose from here.
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 3-6, 0-2 Thiem* (*denotes server): Defending magnificently, Thiem manages to hurtle back and drop a forehand slice over the net. Taken by surprise, Djokovic isn’t ready and he knocks a drop shot wide for 15-0. He holds to 15, banging down an ace at 40-15.
Third set: Djokovic* 6-7, 3-6, 0-1 Thiem (*denotes server): And so here we are, Dominic Thiem two sets to the good against Novak Djokovic, a man he’s never beaten, the defending champion and the owner of 12 grand slam titles. Thiem races into a 0-30 lead. These are dangerous times for Djokovic. But this is what he plays for. He absorbs Thiem’s power at 15-30, drop shots and wins the duel at the net. He roars. The crowd love it. Then Djokovic misses a backhand down the line for the umpteenth time. It’s a break point. Thiem sends a backhand long, though, but he earns another chance with a stupendously executed backhand drop shot. Djokovic decides to approach the net off a second serve; Thiem shanks a backhand, but he finds the line with a forehand to earn a third chance, Djokovic foolishly stopping after seemingly thinking it was going out. The pressure tells on Djokovic. He nets a forehand and Thiem breaks. He’s getting closer.
Updated
Dominic Thiem wins the second set 6-3; he leads 7-6, 6-3!
This is perhaps the biggest service game of Thiem’s career to date. He begins it by flinging a backhand down the line for 15-0. Another one makes it 30-0. This is turning into a backhand battle. Djokovic comes up with a pearler when Thiem approaches the net. Thiem simply slams one down the line for two set points. How are your nerves, Dominic? Not so good, it seems - he wastes the first with a double-fault. But he calms down, serves wide and finds himself in the daunting but enviable position of being a set away from defeating Djokovic for the first time when the defending champion’s backhand return flies into the net!
Updated
Second set: Djokovic* 6-7, 3-5 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic holds to love. Thiem will serve for a two-set lead.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 2-5 Thiem* (*denotes server): Djokovic seems more engaged at the start of this game, returning with more intent, drawing errors from Thiem to lead 15-30. Thiem counters with a forehand winner down the line for 30-all, but then he knocks a backhand long to give Djokovic his first break point of this set. Thiem sends an awkward serve out wide, though, and Djokovic’s backhand return drifts long for deuce. From there, a mixture humongous serving and vicious forehanding takes Thiem over the line. He’s a game away from a two-set lead over the defending champion.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-7, 2-4 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic holds comfortably. You know, it would be unwise to write him off.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 1-4 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem’s got the bit between his teeth on serve now, charging into a 40-0 lead. He holds to love again.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-7, 1-3 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic settles down a little, finally making a backhand down the line for 40-0. He holds to 15. He looked more threatening there.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 0-3 Thiem* (*denotes server): “Right now,” the Eurosport commentator says, “Thiem seems to have this match won.” “No question,” John McEnroe replies. “He’s got some serious momentum.” And the Austrian holds to love. Djokovic isn’t in this game at all. Spiritually, he seems to have left the court. The body’s there, but what’s going through his head? This is very one-sided at the moment - but not in the way you’d expect. Saying that, no one’s better than Djokovic at pulling off an unfathomable escape.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-7, 0-2 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic appears to be in control at 30-0. But Thiem makes it 30-15 with a commanding volley, before Djokovic nets another backhand down the line for 30-all. The game goes to deuce; you get the feeling Djokovic could beat himself here. A double-fault presents Thiem with a break point. A deep volley from Djokovic is just good enough, however, to force Thiem to lift a defensive lob wide. Inexplicably Djokovic splatters another backhand long to find himself facing a second break point, but Thiem nets a backhand. A forehand winner earns the increasingly aggressive Thiem a third opportunity, though and he takes this one! Djokovic goes for a drop shot, but Thiem tracks it down and craftily slices a backhand to the left, past Djokovic, who’s so surprised that he slips and falls heavily.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 0-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem has to keep his foot on the accelerator here. At 0-30, he pulls level with two monstrous forehands. He holds to 30.
Updated
Dominic Thiem wins the first set 7-6!
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 5-7 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic incredibly nets an awful low backhand and the first set is Thiem’s! It’s Djokovic’s 17th unforced error! Dearie me, that was appalling from the champion.
Updated
First set tie-break: Djokovic 5-6 Thiem* (*denotes server): A stunning backhand return from Djokovic and Thiem can only slice wide!
First set tie-break: Djokovic 4-6 Thiem* (*denotes server): Djokovic needlessly nets a backhand and Thiem has two set points!
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 4-5 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic loops a backhand wide.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 4-4 Thiem (*denotes server): Thiem misses a backhand down the line after a lengthy rally.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 3-4 Thiem* (*denotes server): Djokovic nets a backhand.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 3-3 Thiem* (*denotes server): A deep return from Djokovic draws an error from Thiem.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 2-3 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic misses a backhand down the line by a whisker!
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 2-2 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic pulls a backhand wide.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 2-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem nets a backhand.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 1-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem’s first double-fault of the match comes at a bad time.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 0-1 Thiem (*denotes server): Thiem won their only previous tie-break 12-10 - that was at the World Tour Finals in London last November - and you suspect he has to win this one if he’s to stand a chance of reaching the last four. To that end, he starts with some huge tennis. He pummels the fuzz off the ball and forces Djokovic to block wide.
First set: Djokovic 6-6 Thiem* (*denotes server): At 15-0, Djokovic pounces when Thiem plays a poor drop-shot, rapping a forehand away despite a little slip. But a powerful serve from Thiem makes it 30-15 and Djokovic has a wry smile on his face when a forehand from the Austrian drops just inside the line for 40-15. Djokovic nets a forehand and we’ll have a tie-break.Thiem won their only other o
Rafa Nadal beats Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2, 2-0!
Carreno Busta has retired with a stomach injury. Nadal is into yet another French Open semi-final. He’ll be nice and rested. As for his eventual opponent...
Updated
First set: Djokovic* 6-5 Thiem (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, Thiem nailing another backhand winner down the line from deep, Djokovic nowhere near it. It’s Djokovic’s turn to feel the nerves. He runs on to a loose ball, but scoops a forehand long for 15-30. Thiem can’t carve out a break point, though. Djokovic makes it 40-30 with a stunning backhand down the line and holds when Thiem blocks a forehand return wide.
First set: Djokovic 5-5 Thiem* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Thiem brilliantly digs deep at 0-15 and seizes control of the rally with a beautifully angled forehand from right to left. He moves forward to slam another one down the line for 15-all. But Djokovic is raising his intensity. He pulls Thiem forward and cracks a backhad past him for 15-30. Thiem’s response is to hit harder and harder. But Djokovic is in wall mode and Thiem whacks a forehand wide to find himself facing two set points. Thiem holds his nerve, though, volleying brilliantly to save the first, scrambling to deuce when Djokovic nets a backhand return. Two more backhand misses from Djokovic and Thiem is a very relieved boy.
First set: Djokovic* 5-4 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic restores some order on serve, holding to love. Thiem barely made a return. He’ll serve to stay in the set.
First set: Djokovic 4-4 Thiem* (*denotes server): With the wind behind him, There are signs of Thiem regaining his earlier high level when he slaps three successive forehands down the line to lead 40-0. He holds to 15 when Djokovic lifts a forehand long.
On Philippe-Chatrier, Pablo Carreno Busta has disappeared for treatment. Is there a cure for being Rafa’d?
First set: Djokovic* 4-3 Thiem (*denotes server): Djokovic wins the first point, only to come up with two successive double-faults to trail 15-30. He’s still not right. He loses his balance as he wheels into a backhand, handing Thiem two break points. Thiem can’t take the first, but he only has to wait for Djokovic to waft a dismal forehand wide on the second. An erratic match.
Updated
First set: Djokovic 4-2 Thiem* (*denotes server): Soaking up Thiem’s power, Djokovic draws a couple of errors from the Austrian to lead 0-30. This is a pivotal moment in the first set. Thiem drags a forehand wide to gift Djokovic two break points. Feeling the strain, he nets a forehand and Djokovic breaks. A wretched game. “If I were Thiem, I’d be disgusted with myself,” John McEnroe says on Eurosport. It’s hard to disagree.
First set: Djokovic* 3-2 Thiem (*denotes server): The wind’s begining to pick up even more pace. Djokovic’s shirt’s fluttering. Thiem’s squinting as he tries to keep the sand out of his eyes. At 0-15, he should move into a 0-30 lead. Instead he nets a simple forehand. Djokovic proceeds to glide into a 40-15 lead after Thiem fails to make the most of a backhand at the net, but the Austrian clambers to 40-30 and forces deuce with a deft drop shot. That raises his spirits and he earns a break point, picking Djokovic off at the net with a gleaming crosscourt backhand pass. Another grinding rally ensues. Thiem’s the first to go big - but he lashes a forehand wide. He’s the one forcing the issue, though, and Djokovic is having problems emerging from this game unscathed. That’s mainly because Thiem’s found his range with the backhand down the line. But the Austrian can’t take advantage, overcooking a final backhand return. Djokovic holds at last and this has the makings of a classic at the moment. After more than half an hour, they’ve managed five games.
As for Rafa Nadal, he’s just taken the first set 6-2 against Pablo Carreno Busta. He’s been broken twice, but he’s far too strong for the 20th seed.
Updated
First set: Djokovic 2-2 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem’s immediately under pressure after that break, a couple of scratchy errors making it 0-30. Another miss hands Djokovic three break points. Thiem saves the first, but nets a backhand on the second. Djokovic breaks straight back, Thiem unforgivably allowing his focus to dip.
First set: Djokovic* 1-2 Thiem (*denotes server): A heavy backhand down the line from Thiem forces Djokovic to hit long for 0-15. Another blistering backhand makes it 0-30. Then Djokovic knocks a tame backhand into the net to hand Thiem three break points. Djokovic’s footwork is off. He decides to serve-volley. Thiem’s backhand pass swirls just wide, making it 15-30, and the Austrian can’t take the second break point either, sending a forehand return long. The next point’s an epic. Thiem tries a drop shot, but it’s not good enough. Djokovic slashes a forehand down the line. Thiem has a target. But his backhand’s read by Djokovic, who punches a volley away for deuce. Thiem keeps pressing, though, earning a fourth opportunity with an authoritative forehand. Then, a rally that looks like it will never end. It lasts for ever. They trade groundstrokes for a while. Then a change of pace, a series of slices that inevitably draw chuckles from the crowd. Until, finally, Djokovic blinks first, chops a backhand long and hands the first break to Thiem!
First set: Djokovic 1-1 Thiem* (*denotes server): Thiem begins the game in sprightly fashion, whipping a forehand down the line for 15-0. Another forehand winner makes it 30-15. He holds to 15 with the minimum amout of fuss.
First set: Djokovic* 1-0 Thiem (*denotes server): Novak Djokovic begins the serving and he wins the first point, gobbling up a short return with a powerful forehand. A curving ace down the middle takes him to 40-15. But back comes Thiem, dragging the game to deuce, only for Djokovic to scoop a cleverly disguised forehand from right to left. Djokovic holds when Thiem knocks a forehand long.
Tok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up. Thiem’s in a green t-shirt with white sleeves and green shorts. He must be a Hibs fan.
The players have emerged. There are whispers that Goran Ivanisevic, who split with Tomas Berdych at the start of the week, is joining Novak Djokovic’s team. He might even be in Djokovic’s box today. Keep your eyes peeled. You won’t spot Andre Agassi, though. He’s gone home.
And now... the weather
A dark cloud has moved over Roland Garros. The wind’s picking up. Oh.
Updated
That head-to-head record, then. Djokovic and Thiem have met five times. Thiem has managed one set. It’s sunnier in Paris today as well, which might suit Djokovic. He’s not a huge fan of blustery, wet conditions, so yesterday’s bad weather might have been welcome from the world No2’s perspective.
Preamble
Hello. The only thing that’s held up Rafael Nadal in Paris so far has been the weather. You have to respect nature, even if you are the king of clay, and there was nothing Nadal could do about the rain yesterday, which is why all four men’s quarter-finals have had to be squeezed into today’s schedule.
Not that rain-induced frustration should be overly damaging for Nadal, who is likely to mete out the kind of brutal treatment to Pablo Carreno Busta that another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut, suffered in the fourth round on Sunday. The nine-time champion is yet to come close to dropping a set, loves playing his fellow countrymen on clay and is producing tennis reminiscent of his astonishing peak, before a slew of injuries began to slow him down.
Perhaps Carreno Busta, who beat world No6 Milos Raonic in five sets on Sunday, can stop the Nadal charge. But the smart money’s on a routine victory for the favourite and the more intriguing question is this: will his semi-final opponent be Novak Djokovic or will it be Dominic Thiem?
If it’s to be Thiem, thoughts will turn to their recent clashes on clay. Nadal triumphed convincingly in the first two, helping himself to titles in Barcelona and Madrid in the process, but not for nothing is Thiem regarded as the second most impressive player on the red dirt in 2017 and the 23-year-old Austrian offered a reminder of his glittering potential by gaining revenge for those defeats with a fine victory in their Rome quarter-final. He hasn’t slowed down since then either, cruising into the last eight at Roland Garros with a string of comprehensive wins, and he currently looks the likeliest of the group of emerging stars, dubbed the Next Generation, to claim a grand slam title first.
Yet the problem with the theory that Thiem is on a collision course with Nadal is his miserable record against Djokovic. For all that the defending champion hasn’t entirely convinced, this is one match-up that favours him. Don’t believe me? Ask Thiem. “Against Novak, it’s really tough for me to play, I mean, because he doesn’t give me any time,” he said after losing his next match in Rome 6-1, 6-0 to Djokovic. “I don’t really like to play against him, because he has a game style which doesn’t fit me at all.”
This could be the match of the tournament so far. Djokovic easily beat Thiem in their semi-final last year, but he remains vulnerable after his recent troubles and has just said farewell to Andre Agassi for the time being. His aura of invincibility has disappeared. But it all depends on whether Thiem can demonstrate that he’s a quick learner.
If not, there’ll be plenty of other intriguing action to sustain us throughout the afternoon. The second batch of men’s quarter-finals are last on the schedule, with Andy Murray meeting Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka playing Marin Cilic, but before then it’s the turn of the women.
We already know one semi-final. Jelena Ostapenko and Timea Bacsinszky dealt with the elements yesterday, but the final two semi-final spots are still up for grabs. On Suzanne-Lenglen, Simona Halep, the hot favourite, faces Elina Svitolina, who conquered the Romanian in their Rome final, while Caroline Garcia, the last French player left in the draw, will have to find a way to cope with Karolina Pliskova’s big serve.
Play begins at 10am BST.
Updated
