Serbian player Novak Djokovic, top-seeder in Roland Garros, defeated Ernests Gulbis in three sets 7-5, 7-6 and 7-5 and will face again current champion Rafael Nadal in semifinals. Djokovic, number three in the world ranking, will play against the Spanish player, just like in the previous year, when Nadal came out victorious.

Although Nadal has not lost a set yet, the Serbian will meet him on the court in his best shape, as the leader of the ATP race and after winning the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Rome. If he beats Nadal, Djokovic could dethrone him and take place number two in the international ranking, however, he will have to recover after the three-hour long match against Gulbis.

“We have known each other for a long time, we trained at the same academy and are good friends,” Djokovic commented about Gulbis after the match. “I’m happy he is playing so well. He was unlucky today but has had a great tournament.”

Nadal and Djokovic will see each other again on Friday. Nadal is 7-3 lifetime against the Serbian, including 2-0 without dropping a set at Roland Garros and during this season they have split a pair of matches at Indian Wells and Hamburg.

Source: Article originally published in MediaGambling