Rafa Nadal in 'furious' spat with umpire during French Open clash
Rafael Nadal was left incensed with French Open officials after an untimely disruption in his quarter-final win over Kei Nishikori.
The 11-time champion was leading leading 6-1 6-1 4-2 and was on the cusp of sealing a "special" semi-final berth against great rival Roger Federer.
However, the Spaniard was left angered after the looming threat of a thunderstorm saw play suspended with the finishing line in sight.
“Nadal is really wanting to continue,” Eurosport commentator Brabham said.
“He’s walked back to the baseline whereas the gentleman on the court is saying no we’re stopping - and Nadal is furious.”
Nadal was adamant he could finish the match before the storm hit but the defending champion was forced to leave the court - much to his annoyance.
The delay only prolonged the inevitable as Nadal eventually finished off the seventh seed 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 to book his showdown with Federer.
Mouth-watering clash
Nadal has never lost in the semi-finals at the tournament, making Federer's mission on his return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence look even more daunting.
Not that Nadal is taking anything for granted.
"Roger came back on clay because he's a player who plays well on all surfaces and on clay he has good chances of winning," said Nadal who hasn't lost to the Swiss on clay since the Madrid final in 2009.
"One thing is that he feels physically ready. He's coming back because he wants to do so. And if he feels in good shape physically, well, he should not leave out a main part of the season."
Nadal's record at Roland Garros now stands at 91 wins against just two defeats -- to Robin Soderling in the last-16 in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in the 2015 quarter-finals.
A wrist injury forced him to withdraw before the fourth round in 2016.
Many believed those back-to-back setbacks would signal the end of the road for Nadal who has battled a host of injuries throughout his career.
But since that tearful 2016 Paris exit, he has picked up three more majors and twice been a runner-up in Australia.
"After all the problems I have faced, what keeps the flame alive is this desire, the desire to play on the main stages where I've been playing tennis for all these years," he said.
"This won't last forever. So I want to give myself the maximum chances. For the time being, things are rolling well."
Nadal, who turned 33 on Monday, will face 37-year-old Federer for the 39th time.
The Spaniard, chasing a 12th French Open title, leads their head-to-head 23-15 with a 13-2 stranglehold on clay.
That run includes a 5-0 run at Roland Garros -- the 2005 semi-final and the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 finals.
"Having Roger in the semi-finals is an extra thing," admitted defending champion Nadal.
"We shared the most important moments of our careers together on court facing each other.
"So it's another episode of this, and I'm happy and excited. It will be a special moment, and let's try to be ready for it."
Federer set up the mouthwatering clash with Nadal by defeating Stan Wawrinka to become the oldest men's grand slam semi-finalist in 28 years.
The 37-year-old Swiss beat his compatriot 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to reach his 43rd major semi-final and eighth at Roland Garros.
The 20-time grand slam champ is also the oldest French Open semi-finalist in 51 years.
"The complete dream would be to win the tournament," said Federer. "Other players won't agree. It will be difficult, but I believe it anyway."
With agencies
