Rafael Nadal Defeats Juan Martin Del Potro in French Open Semis

Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro 6-4 6-1 6-2 in the semifinals of the French Open.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro in the French Open semifinals

(Photo: AP)

A ruthless Rafael Nadal punished Juan Martin del Potro for missed opportunities as he reached his 11th French Open final with a 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory on Friday, 8 June.

Argentine Del Potro often had Nadal in trouble in a ferocious first set but paid heavily for failing to convert any of the six break points that came his way at 1-1 and 4-4.

Ten-time champion Nadal then pounced in the 10th game to take the opening set and fifth seed Del Potro's challenge evaporated in the Court Philippe Chatrier sunshine.

Nadal had a stranglehold on the match and powered on to victory in two hours 14 minutes to set up a final against Austria's seventh seed Dominic Thiem.