he ran out of gas in both matches.But none of those three will be standing on the other side of the net on Sunday.This is the first time in a long time that Novak or Rogers not been in a slam final, Murray later told a press conference. Its obviously an opportunity. I put myself in a

PARIS -- Rafael Nadal groused last week that he was playing so badly he might soon be home fishing in Mallorca. Then came a transformation. Nadal stood at the net following his latest French Open win wearing that familiar crooked grin, clay caked on his arm, his leg and even the back of his shirt, landlocked and loving it. The fish were spared, and Nadal has lately enjoyed smooth sailing at Roland Garros heading into his semifinal showdown Friday against top-ranked Novak Djokovic. After falling behind in each of his first three matches, Nadal has won 12 consecutive sets. Hes 57-1 at Roland Garros and on the verge of becoming the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event. "I really am playing better here," he said. "I said I needed to make a change. I was confident that I can do it, and I did." And so hes ready to renew his rivalry with Djokovic. The winner will play for the title Sunday against No. 4-seeded David Ferrer or No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who meet in the other semifinal. Tsongas trying to become the first Frenchman since Yannick Noah in 1983 to win Roland Garros, and partisan Parisians might consider his match the main event Friday. But Nadal vs. Djokovic has the feel of a final, and its a match much anticipated since the draw was announced two weeks ago. Because Nadals ranking slipped during a recent injury layoff, he and Djokovic wound up in the same half of that draw. As a result, theyll meet before the final at a major event for the first time in five years. While tennis players are known to complain, neither Nadal nor Djokovic seems to mind meeting in the semifinals. "I dont want to talk about what if," Djokovic said. "Its going to be a good match." Nadals 19-15 against Djokovic, including 12-3 on clay, 6-3 in Grand Slam events and 4-0 at the French Open. Nadal won when they met in the final at Roland Garros a year ago. But he bristled at the suggestion hes the favourite this time. "I dont care at all," he said through a translator. "Frankly, what words could I find to tell you? I mean, what else can I say? I try and play my best tennis, and the least of my concerns is to know if Im favoured or not. These are words that will be carried away by the wind." He knows too well that Djokovics dangerous even on Nadals best surface. The Serb won their most recent meeting six weeks ago in the Monte Carlo final on clay, although that was best-of-three sets, rather than the more grueling Grand Slam format that plays to Nadals strength. "Its tough to compare," Djokovic said. "Its best-of-five here, Grand Slam, different conditions. But still, there is some kind of mental edge maybe if you win against or lose against somebody in the previous encounters. ... I have a good game for him because my style is to be aggressive, but I can also defend well and have that transition game. Im going to be confident and step into the court with self-belief that I can win." Djokovic has cause for confidence. The six-time Grand Slam champion has reached the semifinals at 12 consecutive major tournaments, and hes 33-4 this year. "Im glad that I have been playing very consistent and always playing my best tennis in the Grand Slams," he said. "Thats what I want." Roland Garros is the only major title he has yet to win, but with two more victories this week, he would become the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam. And he has beaten Nadal more than any other player. "I know what it takes to win against him," Djokovic said. Hes one of only two players to defeat Nadal this year. Since returning in February from his seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury, Nadal is 41-2 with six titles. But he looked vulnerable when the French Open began, dropping the opening set in each of his first two matches -- remarkable considering he has lost only 16 sets in nine years at Roland Garros. His shots lacked their usual depth and sting, and there was speculation his troublesome knees were hindering his movement and leaving him on the defensive. Then the heat rose in Paris, and Nadal warmed to his task. "It has always been the case: The deeper I go, the better I play usually," Nadal said. "Its the same this year. Its the same old story." In recent matches the left-hander has looked much more comfortable striking the ball, his vicious saw-blade topspin reducing each opponents one-handed backhand to shreds. Djokovic has a two-handed backhand. He also has the superior serve, the larger repertoire of shots and plenty of motivation. He has listed the French Open as his most important tournament this year. And when his childhood coach died last week in Belgrade, he said he wanted to win the title for her. But the match also means plenty to Nadal, his clay-court reign at stake each time he takes the court. "Im going to be nervous," he said. "If not, go home and do another thing. Because if you are not nervous to play the semifinals against the best player of the world, its because you are not enjoying or you dont feel passion for this game." Fishing can wait. Moses Malone Jersey Large . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Custom Moses Malone Jersey . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. http://www.custom76ersjersey.com/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. 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It was his 52nd match win at the The Championships overall, which took him past the Swede in that statistic.Borg was once the darling of Wimbledon, and he was eventually succeeded by seven-time champion Roger Federer. But now, with Federer on the wane -- the great Swiss champion lost to Milos Raonic?over five sets in Fridays first semifinal -- Murray has a chance to further his claim to being the next person to fill that role.For the first time going into a major final, Murray, ranked No. 2 in the world, will be the favorite. He has consistently played better than anyone in these championships, handling the pressure and expectation adroitly in his bid to become a two-time champion here.Murray admitted he has an eye on the sporting legacy he will leave, too, when the time comes to put down his racket. The 29-year-old twice mentioned the subject of age in his postmatch interview with the BBC.The older you get, you never know how many chances youre going to have to play in Grand Slam finals. You want to make the most of your opportunities, he said.Im glad I managed to get through today. The older you get, the more experienced you are, which helps deal with the nerves in these situations.You learn from those matches for sure. Having had those experiences in the past helped me a lot, playing against some of best players of all time. I know what I have to do to get to the latter stages of these tournaments.That Murray is now seventh on the list for most all-time wins at the All England Club is evidence, were any neededd, that he deserves to be remembered as one of the games greats.ddddddddddddHe has equalled Ken Rosewall in 10th place for most Grand Slam wins overall with 171, and will overtake Fred Perry as the British man with most major final appearances on Sunday, when he makes his 11th overall.Yes, he has only won two of those, and it has been a three-year wait since the last, which came on the same court where he will face Raonic (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET on ESPN & WatchESPN).But, in overtaking Borg, Murray has showed just how consistently he has challenged at the top of the game, and for how long, in an era featuring three of the greatest players of all time.Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have repeatedly foiled the Scot at the majors throughout his career. The Swiss has beaten him in three finals, Djokovic in five -- including this years Australian Open and French Open, when he ran out of gas in both matches.But none of those three will be standing on the other side of the net on Sunday.This is the first time in a long time that Novak or Rogers not been in a slam final, Murray later told a press conference. Its obviously an opportunity. I put myself in a position to try and win the event again. Its against someone new that Im playing against in the final.?But Milos is a very tough opponent. Hes played very well on the grass this year and has earned his right to the final by beating one of the best, if not the best player, ever at this event. So he deserves to be there.These tournaments are why Im still playing and why Im training hard and trying to win these events. Thats what really motivates me. Ive been in the latter stages a number of times, won some, obviously lost some tough ones, as well. Id love to win it again obviously. ' ' '