French Open 2019: Result from Roland Garros as Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer
All the latest updates from Roland Garros
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Your support makes all the difference.Roger Federer has been knocked out by Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-final in what might be one of the last occasions we see these two legends of tennis go head to head on such a major stage.
For both Federer, 37, and Nadal, 33, chances to add to their extraordinary haul of grand slam titles will not keep coming along forever, and Nadal did not pass up the opportunity.
Both players progressed serenely to the last four, each dropping only one set en route, and Nadal clinched the match in straight sets to reach the final. Re-live it live:
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Welcome along to live updates of Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals. Kieran will be here shortly with all the build-up and latest updates as these two legends of the game go head to head once more.
It's an overcast day at Roland Garros, with both women's semi-finals currently taking place, including a gripping last four encounter involving Jo Konta, who needs to win a second set tie-break to stay in the match...
But on Court Philippe Chatrier, we're expecting the arrival of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the next ten minutes!
Heartbreak for Jo Konta, who misses out on a place in the French Open final, going down 7-5 7-6(2) to 19-year-old Marketa Vondrousova, who is yet to drop a set in this tournament...
But on Chatrier, the players are out and we're ready for the 39th encounter between these two greats of the game!
Overall on the head-to-head, Nadal leads 23-15, but on clay the Spaniard leads 13-2... it's a tall order for Roger Federer, but you wouldn't put anything past the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
The players are currently warming up!
The pair haven't played since 2017, when Federer won all four of their matches (Federer has in fact won the last five matches.)
However, Nadal has won all 11 of his Roland Garros semi-finals.
The conditions are blustery, but Rafael Nadal will serve to get us underway...
Federer 30-30 Nadal
Federer wins the first point of the match, before two backhand errors hands Nadal a lead. But Rafa goes long with a backhand...
It should be said that it's very, very windy down on court, which might work as a leveller in Federer's favour.
Federer 40-40 Nadal*
Break point opportunity straight away for Federer, who hits a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner.
Early pressure on the Nadal serve... but Nadal saves it, forcing an error via an angled serve out wide. Deuce.
Federer 40-40 Nadal*
A big Nadal serve takes Rafa to advantage, but a bizarre and poorly executed drop shot results in Federer winning the point with a smash. Back to deuce.
*Federer 0-1 Nadal
A few Federer errors hands Nadal the game, but a tricky eight-minute opening game for the 11-time French Open champion.
Federer to serve now, with the stadium still peculiarly half-empty.
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