Nadal expects Federer onslaught in French Open semi-final

TIL Desk Sports/ Rafael Nadal is braced for an all-out assault from Roger Federer when the two great rivals meet at Roland Garros for the first time in eight years in Friday’s French Open semi-final. Although Federer has won the last five meetings in their 38-match rivalry, none of them were on the Spaniard’s beloved clay.

In their five previous meetings at Roland Garros, including four finals, Federer has never managed more than one set. Despite being generally regarded as the greatest player of all time, 20-times Grand Slam champion Federer has never fathomed a way of suppressing the marauding Mallorcan at Roland Garros.

Nadal, bidding for a record-extending 12 titles, believes the Swiss will be coming at him with all guns blazing after a comfortable passage to the last four. “There are no two matches the same,” Real Madrid fan Nadal told reporters as he looked ahead to tennis’s El Clasico. “We always try things. Let’s see. Let’s see what’s going on.