PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal has beaten Novak Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in a monumental match in the French Open quarterfinals to move a step closer to his 14th championship at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament and 22nd major trophy overall. Nadal ended the top-seeded Djokovic’s bid for a second consecutive title in Paris. He also made sure Djokovic remains behind him in the Slam count, with 20. Nadal improved to 110-3 for his career at Roland Garros. Two of those losses came against Djokovic. That includes last year’s semifinals. Nadal will face third-seeded Alexander Zverev in the semifinals on Friday. That is Nadal’s 36th birthday.
In women’s action
— American teenager Coco Gauff has reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens in the French Open. The 18-year-old Gauff will next face another first-time semifinalist in Martina Trevisan.
In other action:
— Third-seeded Alexander Zverev has knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the French Open with a 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7) victory in the quarterfinals. The 2020 U.S. Open runner-up will next face either No. 1 Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal for a spot in the final.
