Gulbis to challenge Djokovic in French Open semis

Ernests Gulbis of Latvia will challenge Novak Djokovic for a berth in the French Open final after beating sixth seed Tomas Berdych with a swashbuckling performance Tuesday.

Second-seeded Djokovic stayed firmly on course to win his first Roland Garros title by taming big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic, Xinhua reported.

Gulbis, 25, known for his colourful behaviour and funny comments off the court, stormed to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win.

"It was my best match of the tournament so far. Everything worked. Tomas was getting angry because I was hitting the lines all the time but, sorry, that's part of the sport," said Gulbis who dismissed Swiss legend Federer in the fourth round.

 

Djokovic worked hard to hold off Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

"It was very complicated against his serve which is so precise and powerful but I'm really happy," said the six-time Grand Slam title winner.

"It was difficult to return and important for me to keep concentration but I'm delighted to be in the semi-finals."

In the women's draw, Maria Sharapova will face Bouchard, who overcame Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets.

Bouchard edged the first set on a tie-break but lost the second set before bouncing back to claim a 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-5 victory and book her place in the final four.