JUNE 8: FRENCH OPEN TENNIS

It's semi-final day at the French Open in Paris where Rafael Nadal remains on course to capture a record seventh men's singles title.

Standing in the way of the world No.2 is fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, the No.6 seed who ensured Andy Murray's Grand Slam wait goes on.

The other last-four clash sees a showdown between old foes Novak Djokovic and the greatest of them all, 16-time Slam winner Roger Federer.

Here is how I reckon the semi-finals will turn out, but remember, I don't possess a crystal ball, just the stats ahead of today's action.

Rafael Nadal (No.2 seed) v David Ferrer (No.6 seed, 12noon approx)

Defending champion Nadal heads into this clash with an astonishing 15-4 lead over Ferrer, having won 12 of the duo's 13 meetings on clay.

I always say records are there to be broken but I'd be shocked if Ferrer was to end Nadal's campaign at Roland Garros.

The bookies see it that way also and Bodog, Boylesports, Betfred, Totesport and BetVictor have the six-time champ at 1-12. Ferrer is 9-1 at Stan James and Sportingbet.

Nadal has won both their match-ups on clay this year and hasn't lost a set to Ferrer on the dirt since the Barcelona final of 2008 – eight long matches ago.

He won his 50th match on the Paris clay in beating Nicolas Almagro and has yet to drop a set in the 2012 tournament. Ferrer may just be his latest straight-sets victim.

Recommendations

Nadal 3-0 (4-7 Paddy Power)

Tiebreak in match (11-10 Bet365)

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Novak Djokovic (No.1 seed) v Roger Federer (No.3 seed, 1.30pm approx)

World No.1 Djokovic is bidding to hold all four Slams at the same time in Paris but Federer leads their head-to-head 14-11 and is sure to push the Serb all the way.

The Swiss has the edge on clay meetings by three to two although Djokovic won their latest battle in Rome in straight sets.

While I can see the other semi-final needing just three sets this match-up is likely to be another Roland Garros thriller, requiring at least four.

Djokovic is the 8-15 favourite with Totesport, William Hill, Betfred and Stan James; Federer 12-7 at 188BET.

It's hard to see past Djokovic but having being pushed to five sets by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters the pressure of the Slam sweep may get to him in what is sure to be another long, long match.