Djokovic Beats Nadal, Williams Advances in French Open
Published on June 4 2015 8:46 am
Last Updated on July 2 2015 6:24 am
Novak Djokovic became only the second man to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open with a straight-sets victory in the quarter-finals in Paris.
The world number one ended the nine-time champion's reign 7-5 6-3 6-1.
The Serb, now two wins from completing the career Grand Slam of all four major titles, will play Andy Murray in the semi-finals on Friday.
Nadal, on his 29th birthday, suffered his first defeat in six years and his second in 72 matches at Roland Garros.
His only previous French Open loss came in the 2009 fourth round against Sweden's Robin Soderling - but this defeat was far less of a shock.
Djokovic, 28, went into the match as the favourite, on a 26-match winning streak and as a man on a mission, desperate to add the French Open to his Wimbledon, Australian and US Open victories.
Top seed Serena Williams needed just 65 minutes to overcome Sara Errani 6-1 6-3 and book her place in the French Open semi-finals at Roland Garros.
The 33-year-old American, seeking her 20th Grand Slam title, proved too powerful for her Italian opponent.
Williams required just 27 minutes to take the first set but was made to work hard in the second by 17th-seed Errani.
She will face Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky who beat Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-4 7-5.
Williams, French Open winner in 2002 and 2013, hit 39 winners during a dominant display.
