World No.3 Roger Federer and World No.2 Novak Djokovic have advanced to the 2011 French Open semi-finals and will square off, Friday June 3rd, for a chance to meet Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal in the finals. Federer leads 13-9 over Djokovic, but Federer has lost three straight to Djokovic. French Open oddsmakers have Novak Djokovic as -350 moneyline favourite over Roger Federer (+250). Be sure to get your 2011 French Open: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic predictions in early.
Roger Federer earned his place in the last four after ousting remaining French hopeful Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on Tuesday in Paris. "It’s always nice to be in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam," said Federer. "I hoped to play well here. It was a tricky draw and I’m happy that I made my way through to the semis. I’ve never diverted from my plan of focussing on myself and I’m very happy with the way I’m playing. "For me the plan is to try and take a step further and reach the final of the French Open. I know [Djokovic] has a lot on the line. I’m looking forward to that match. I think we usually play pretty well against each other." The 29-year-old Federer is the last player to have beaten Djokovic, dismissing the Serb in straight sets in the semi-finals of the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. Federer leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 13-9, but since beating Djokovic in London has lost to him in their past three matches, including in straight sets in the Australian Open semi-finals in January. Sixteen-time Grand Slam champion Federer is looking to win the Roland Garros title for the second time after victory in 2009 (d. Soderling); he was also runner-up to Rafael Nadal from 2006-2008. His last major title came at the 2010 Australian Open (d. Murray).
Novak Djokovic is one victory away from becoming World No. 1 after he advanced to the Roland Garros semi-finals when Fabio Fognini of Italy pulled out of their match on Tuesday. Should 24-year-old Djokovic book his place in the Roland Garros final he would become No. 1 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings next week. The only way Rafael Nadal can retain his World No. 1 ranking is if he wins the title and Djokovic loses before the final. Djokovic has compiled a 41-0 match record on the year. He has won 43 consecutive matches dating back to the Davis Cup final in December.
Head to Head: Federer leads 13-9
2011 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells Hard S Djokovic, Novak
2011 Dubai Hard F Djokovic, Novak
2011 Australian Open Hard S Djokovic, Novak
2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Hard S Federer, Roger
2010 Basel Hard F Federer, Roger
2010 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai Hard S Federer, Roger
2010 US Open Hard S Djokovic, Novak
2010 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Hard S Federer, Roger
2009 Basel Hard F Djokovic, Novak
2009 US Open Hard S Federer, Roger
2009 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati Hard F Federer, Roger
2009 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Clay S Djokovic, Novak
2009 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami Hard S Djokovic, Novak
2008 US Open Hard S Federer, Roger
2008 ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo Clay S Federer, Roger
2008 Australian Open Hard S Djokovic, Novak
2007 US Open Hard F Federer, Roger
2007 ATP Masters Series Canada Hard F Djokovic, Novak
2007 Dubai Hard Q Federer, Roger
2007 Australian Open Hard R16 Federer, Roger
2006 SUI v. SCG WG PO Hard RR Federer, Roger
2006 ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo Clay R64 Federer, Roger
Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic
When: Friday, June 3, 7:00 AM ET
Pick: Djokovic -350
Point-Spreads.com 2011 French Open: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic Semi-final Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: Novak is peaking while Federer is on a downward spiral. Be sure to get your 2011 French Open: Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic predictions in early.
