French Open 2014 Semifinals Preview and TV Schedule: Rafael Nadal to Face Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic to Collide With Ernests Gulbis
Andy Murray will look to end Rafael Nadal's bid to win his ninth French Open title when they collide in the Roland Garros 2014 semifinals on Friday in Paris.
The seventh-ranked Murray booked a spot in the semifinals with a hard-earned victory over Gael Monfils of France, 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 in their quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday.
Murray was in full control early in the game, taking the first two sets with ease, and looked headed to a straight set victory. Monfils refused to go down without a fight, though, winning the next two sets, before collapsing in the final set.
Murray is looking to win his first French Open title, but the 27-year-old Briton knows that it won't be easy. The reigning Wimbledon champion is still hoping, though, that he can duplicate the feat achieved by Robin Soderling, the only player to defeat Nadal in a French Open tournament.
"I expect a lot of myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well at these events, and thankfully I have done OK so far. There's still hopefully a long way to go in the tournament," Murray said.
Nadal, on the other hand, will be a heavy favorite heading into their match, but the eight-time French Open champion knows that there is no room for complacency, especially after dropping a set during his quarterfinal match against David Ferrer.
"I think Andy is a candidate to win Roland Garros," said Nadal, who defeated Ferrer in the quarterfinals 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1. "I always said his game can adapt to all surfaces and he can play well if he wants to. It is not the first time he is here, in the last 4 in Paris and I am not impressed by him, I knew he could do it."
In the other semifinal match, second-seeded Novak Djokovic will face surprising semifinalist Ernests Gulbis.
Gulbis, who defeated Roger Federer in the fourth round, earned a spot in the final four with an impressive straight set win over sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, while Djokovic defeated Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6, 6-4.
Djokovic and Gulbis will at 7 p.m. EST, followed by the showdown between Nadal and Murray.
The French Open 2014 semifinals will be shown live on Tennis Channel and NBC, while fans can also catch the action through live stream via NBC Sports Live Extra.
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