French Open 2019: Novak Djokovic sets up Roland Garros semi-final rematch against Dominic Thiem

The Serbian, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are all in the semi-finals for the first time since 2012

Eleanor Crooks
Roland Garros
Thursday 06 June 2019 17:58 BST
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Novak Djokovic celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev
Novak Djokovic celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev (Reuters)

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Novak Djokovic will take on Dominic Thiem for the third time in four years at the French Open after both eased through to the semi-finals.

World number one Djokovic is still to drop a set after a 7-5 6-2 6-2 victory over fifth seed Alexander Zverev, while Thiem defeated Karen Khachanov 6-2 6-4 6-2 to reach a fourth successive semi-final at Roland Garros.

Djokovic and Thiem faced each other in the semi-finals in 2016, with the Serbian winning easily, but Thiem turned the tables the following year in the quarter-finals before reaching his first grand slam final here last year.

Victories for the two men also mean that, with Rafael Nadal taking on Roger Federer in the other semi-final, the top four seeds are all through to the last four.

Remarkably, it is the first time at a slam since the French Open in 2012 that Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have all made it through to the semi-finals.

Djokovic was only briefly in trouble in the opening set when he dropped serve to leave Zverev serving for the set at 5-4.

However, the German could not take advantage and then double-faulted on set point two games later.

Novak Djokovic advances to the semi-final
Novak Djokovic advances to the semi-final (Getty)

Three successive double faults to end the second set all but put the nail in the coffin, with Djokovic easing through to the last four here for the first time since winning the title in 2016.

Thiem had to battle his way through the first week in Paris but has found his best form in the last two rounds and was far too strong for 10th seed Khachanov.

PA

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