The men's Semi Finals of the 2011 French Open are finally here and with the top four seeds facing each other we will hopefully be treated to some competitive matches. These guys rolled through their early matches with only five extra sets needed out of the 19 total matches these guys have played. Maybe their tennis at Roland Garros has just been that good or maybe the competition just hasn't been up to the task. Either way, Friday will feature Rafael Nadal against Andy Murray (4) and Roger Federer (3) vs. Novak Djokovic (2).
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have faced off across the net 15 times since their first meeting in 2007. Nadal is 10-5 against Murray including three out of the last five contests. On clay, Nadal is 3-0 against Murray. The odds makers have Nadal as a heavy favorite with the line set at -750 for a Rafa win.
Nadal is playing so well and is still very much the kind of the clay. He showed some trouble with John Isner's big serve in the only match he was pushed beyond three sets but Murray has no such weapon. Murray's game is to hit his forehand and use his speed and essentially out-Nadal, Nadal.
Prediction: Nadal in four sets.
The first match of the day on Court Philippe Chatrier starts at 2:00 p.m. Paris time. The Semi Finals will be broadcast on TV by the Tennis Channel who will also be live streaming the matched online starting at 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT. Nadal vs. Murray goes first, followed by Djokovic vs. Federer on NBC and with live streaming at NBCSports.com starting at 11:00 a.m. ET and tape delayed for an 11:00 a.m. showing everywhere else in the country.
MONACO - APRIL 16: Andy Murray of Great Britain congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain after Nadal won in 3 sets during Day Seven of the ATP Masters Series Tennis at the Monte Carlo Country Club on April 16, 2011 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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