Federer trumped Wawrinka in the quarterfinal. Can Roger’s grass court aggression beat Nadal on the clay at Roland Garros?

Roger Federer overcame a tough fight back from Stan Wawrinka to win 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 and earn the right to face the king of clay in the semifinal of the 2019 Roland Garros.

Federer remembered his way around the clay after three years.

Roger Federer had an easy draw until his match against Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 Rolad Garros winner. After three years’ absence from the clay, Federer could have easily lost against the power-hitting Stan.

Roger, however, found his way around the clay and eked out a 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win in an electric performance against the 3 time slam-winner. The win earned Federer the right to make the first French Open semis since 2012.

Federer was at his athletic best in the quarterfinal against Wawrinka.

Federer’s will to win was demonstrated by the Djokovic like gets, and it was strange to see the – generally – perfectly balanced Federer lunge into the air to hit a winning-volleys at the net.

Wawrinka was outplayed by the better player.

Federer won 168 points and 24 games as compared to 152 and 22 by Wawrinka.  Each broke the other twice, but Roger created 18 break-point opportunities for himself as compared to 5 by Wawrinka.

Federer is aware of the mountain he must climb to beat Nadal in the semis.

“Hmm… the next opponent is ok. ‘He knows how to play on clay, unfortunately. ‘Thinking back, what a pleasure to be back at Roland-Garros. If I came back on clay, it’s also perhaps to play Rafa. Here it is. I have the match,” Federer said in the post match interview.

Federer has won the last five against Nadal but none of them were on the clay, where Federer has lost the most against Rafa Nadal.

Rafael Nadal decimated Nishikori in the quarters.

Rafael Nadal decimated Kei Nishkori 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals to face Federer in the semis on Friday. Nadal was challenged only by David Goffin in the fourth but was never at risk of losing even in that match.

Rafa is the favorite to win the tournament, whereas Roger is more of a spoiler than contender at Roland Garros. The lack of pressure could make Federer dangerous against Nadal, but there’s nothing Nadal wouldn’t do to win the 12th La Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2019.

Conclusion: Federer must capitalize on the break-point opportunities, if he wishes to give himself even a remote shot against the King of clay.