Photo/ Tim Clayton/Getty Images
Toni Nadal has warned his nephew Rafael to stop Roger Federer speeding up their French Open clash tomorrow.
Federer set up a French Open semi-final against defending champion Rafael Nadal by overcoming fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets. The Swiss endured an energy-sapping three hours and 17 minutes on court to win 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
Shortly before Federer won, Nadal completed a 6-1 6-1 6-3 win over Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.
"Rafael must prevent Federer from attacking him all the time," Toni Nadal said. "Federer, with the age he is, I understand, will try to force a quick game in which there is not much exchange of punches. If Rafael agrees to the contrary, although I recognise that it is not easy to find weaknesses to one of the best players in history.”
“Rafael is making a Roland Garros quite complete,” Toni Nadal added. “He played very good first rounds, I was at the game against David Goffin, in which he lost a set. Not by mistake I think, but because he subtracted a bit badly. Yesterday (Tuesday) he had a much more comfortable match than expected because Kei Nishikori is a great player. My opinion is that Rafael is playing a high level since the Rome tournament, which changed everything for him, and that level is still maintained.”