Nadal downs Del Potro to reach 11th French Open final, faces Thiem for title

Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal reached his 11th French Open final on Friday when he demolished Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets, setting up a title showdown with Dominic Thiem, the only man to defeat him on clay in the last two years.

Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, claimed his 85th win in Paris against just two losses after weathering a big-hitting opening from 2009 US Open winner Del Potro to win 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

In his 24th Grand Slam final, Nadal will face Thiem who ended Marco Cecchinato's French Open fairytale, reaching his first major final with a 7-5, 7-6 (12/10), 6-1 victory.

Seventh seed Thiem is the first Austrian to make a final at the majors since Thomas Muster was champion in Paris in 1995.

"It was a very difficult first set and Juan Martin had lots of opportunities. He was a little unfortunate," said Nadal, who reeled off 14 of the last 17 games, having seen Del Potro fail to convert any of his seven break points.

Nadal is now just the second man to reach 11 finals at the same Slam, equalling Roger Federer's mark at Wimbledon.

"It's impossible without hard work and going through tough moments. You have to be focussed and keep your passion for the game. I never dreamed in 2005 when I played my first final here that I would be in another one."
"I need to regenerate and have a good breakfast to keep up my good level. Full power on Sunday."
"The big key was the second set," he said. It was a really close tiebreak and I didn't want that especially after I missed an easy volley at 6/4. That was not a nice feeling."