Federer snaps winning skein of Djokovic at 43

Associated Press

PARIS

Dusk was descending, wind was swirling and full-throated chants of “Ro-ger! Ro-ger!” from 15,000 or so fans finally were hushing as Roger Federer stepped to the baseline to serve — one point from returning to the French Open final and one point from ending Novak Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak.

Federer rocked back, unfurled his body and whipped an ace, his 18th, to seal a 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory over Djokovic, then roared and wagged his right index finger, as if telling the world, “I’m still No. 1!”

So what if the official ranking says otherwise? This was Federer showing he’s still got what it takes.

He’ll go for a 17th Grand Slam title, and second at Roland Garros, in Sunday’s final against longtime nemesis and five-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who eliminated Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Friday to improve to 44-1 at the clay-court tournament.

By summoning all of the strokes and resolve required to win a taut, tense contest with a lot on the line, Federer also managed to do what no one else had in quite some time: defeat Djokovic, who entered the day 41-0 in 2011 and unbeaten since losing to Federer in late November.

“I wasn’t here to spoil the party,” said the third-seeded Federer, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the 2009 French Open. “Almost feels, somewhat, like I’ve won the tournament, which is not the case. Silverware is still out there to be won, and I’m looking forward to the match with Rafa.”

It’ll be their fifth meeting — and fourth final — in Paris since 2005. Nadal is 4-0 in those matches, part of his 16-8 overall lead head-to-head.

A sixth French Open title would tie Nadal with Bjorn Borg for the most in history.

“I don’t think about that,” said Nadal, who turned 25 Friday. “A lot of respect for the great Bjorn, but I ... focus on [trying] to play well. For me, is much more important [to] win Roland Garros than equal Bjorn.”

Djokovic is the only other player to have beaten Federer more than eight times, including a 3-0 mark this season before Friday.

“It had to end somewhere,” said the second-seeded Djokovic.

Nadal’s victory over the fourth-seeded Murray was far more compelling and competitive than a typical straight-set sweep, yet still paled in comparison to what Federer and Djokovic produced later.