Novak Djokovic hands out-of-sorts Rafa Nadal second French Open defeat in 11 years

World number one Novak Djokovic handed nine-time champion Rafael Nadal of Spain his second defeat in 11 years at Roland Garros to reach the semi-finals of the French Open with a 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 win on Wednesday.

The Serb, looking to win the only grand slam missing from his collection, will take on either British third seed Andy Murray or Spain’s David Ferrer, the seventh seed, for a place in Sunday’s final.

Nadal’s only previous defeat came in 2009 when the Mallorcan was knocked out in the fourth round by Swede Robin Soderling.

It was world number one and top seed Djokovic’s first win over defending champion Nadal in seven meetings in Paris, avenging his defeats in the 2012 and last year finals.

The victory also eased Djokovic, who fired 45 winners to Nadal’s 16, closer to a first French Open title and the completion of a career grand slam.

He will play his 26th career grand slam semi-final on Friday against British third seed Andy Murray, who defeated Spain’s 2013 runner-up David Ferrer 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

“I have great respect for Rafa, he’s a true champion and it’s always a pleasure to play him,” said 28-year-old Djokovic.

“I knew I had to be aggressive and stay concentrated on every point. That’s not easy to do against a man who had only lost once here in his career.

“It’s an incredible day, I am very happy and I want to continue like this.”

For Nadal, it was a sobering way to mark his 29th birthday with the comprehensive loss placing a serious question mark over whether he will be able to achieve his dream of a 10th French Open crown.

The defeat could also see him slip out of the world top 10 for the first time since 2005.

“I had my moments, but he controlled most of the match. This can happen when your opponent plays better and is in better shape,” said Nadal.

“It’s not a big surprise that I didn’t win. I lost also in 2009 and today this year, but I hope to be back next year with another chance.”

Earlier on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Timea Bacsinszky fires a backhand winner down the line against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck to seal her victory 6-4, 7-5 and make it to her first semi-final at a grand slam tournament.

Bacsinszky wanted a lasting souvenir of her achievement. So, beaming widely, she bent down and rubbed her hands firmly on the red clay that brought her so much joy and then walked off carrying some precious grains.

“You don’t get to be playing a semi-final of a grand slam every day, so I really just appreciate the moment for what I did today,” grinned Bacsinszky, who is no stranger to getting her hands dirty having taken jobs in restaurants, bars and kitchens during a break from tennis in 2013.

The 23rd-seeded Swiss player sets up a semi-final against top-ranked Serena Williams, who earlier beat former finalist Sara Errani 6-1, 6-3.

Williams, who is seeking a 20th grand slam title, cruised through the first set in 27 minutes, but the 17th-seeded Italian, who lost the final in 2012, tested her somewhat more in the second set.

The American – who is chasing her 20th grand slam title – next plays either Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland, who is seeded 23rd, or Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium, who is unseeded.

“I definitely felt more in control, and I felt I had to be again, going up against a player who plays well on this surface in particular,” said Williams, who has only been in three previous semi-finals at the French Open.