Rafael Nadal said goodbye to the French Open, beaten soundly in three sets by Novak Djokovic, with a warning for Andy Murray before his semi-final against the world No1 on Friday.
“He has to win two more matches,” the outgoing champion said after the Serb beat him 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and 26 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier, “but this match only increases his confidence. He’s probably in the best moment of his career. He has a good chance to win here.”
Murray finished strongly after a skittish start and a late dip to beat the seventh seed David Ferrer 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in three hours and 16 minutes on Court Suzanne Lenglen.