Not only is the tennis tournament at Roland Garros the zenith of the clay-court season, but it has a flair all its own, starting with the bright red surface it is played on.
Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal powered into a record 10th French Open final on Friday and will face 2015 victor Stan Wawrinka for the title after the Swiss outdueled Andy Murray in a five-set epic.
The Swiss 2015 champion hit a staggering 87 winners as he avenged last year's semi-final defeat by the world number one to set up a showdown with nine-times champion Rafa Nadal.
Victory on Sunday would see Nadal become the first player to win the same grand slam 10 times in the modern era.
'Maybe the lack of matches hurt me a little bit in the end today.
"It's true that Dominic played with more mistakes than usual probably".
"When I recovered and my wrist got better, I was able to train and train well", Rafael Nadal said at a post-match news conference. It's enough. Nine is more than good. You need to keep trying to focus on what you do, keep trying. "But Stan is playing unbelievable", said Nadal, who despite his imposing record has split the past six meetings with Wawrinka. "I wasn't always happy with that", Wawrinka said through a grin.
Nadal reeled off four straight games, soaking up Thiem's power and returning it with interest.
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Nadal, who is bidding for his 10th Roland Garros title, broke his opponent four times in the opening set and was leading 6-2, 2-0 when Carreno Busta was forced to quit just after 51 minutes in the quarter-final clash of the men's singles event.
For Murray, his wait to become Britain's first men's champion in Paris since Fred Perry in 1935 goes on.
Two years ago when he won the title at Roland Garros, Stan Wawrinka made headlines not only for his tennis, but also for his pink-checkered shorts.
It is notable that Murray had beaten Wawrinka in the same stage at the French Open past year.
"There are two ways of seeing things and I chose to be positive, knowing that I was dominating", said Wawrinka, who has won the three grand slam finals he has played. He played a bit less fast. He was very aggressive, and he never really let me install my game.
But Wawrinka is in no doubt as to the nature of the obstacle that stands in his way of a second Roland Garros triumph. "You know, I played pretty well these last few matches. He's the best player we have ever had".
Murray battled grimly to avoid a love set but Wawrinka finished the match in the manner in which he had played it, with his 87th victor. "I turned my form around really well and ended up having a good tournament". You know, I was one tiebreak away from getting to the final when I came in really struggling.
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