Paris, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Former runner-up Novak Djokovic booked a spot in his second French Open final with a four-set semifinal victory Friday in Paris.
The second-seeded former world No. 1 star defeated 18th-seeded Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 on Court Chatrier. Djokovic has dropped just two sets en route to the final, his 13th career Grand Slam final (6-6).
The Serbian star cruised through the first two sets on Day 13, but Gulbis took advantage of a weakened Djokovic in the third, as the Serb started to struggle physically and even admitted to that after the match. The frustrated star even smashed his racquet at one point, breaking the frame on the court in the process.
But Djokovic righted the ship in the fourth set, as he got a key break to grab a 5-3 lead and consolidated the break with a hold in the next game to move on.
Djokovic prevailed in 2 hours, 34 minutes by breaking Gulbis five times, compared to only two breaks for the Latvian loser. Gulbis swatted 13 aces, but also had 19 more unforced errors (44-25).
The 25-year-old Gulbis was playing in his first-ever major semi.
Djokovic, who was performing in his sixth French Open final four (2-4), is now 5-1 in his career versus Gulbis and he's currently riding an 11-match overall winning streak, including a recent clay court title in Rome.
The 27-year-old six-time major champion was the French Open runner-up to Rafael Nadal two years ago and still needs this title to complete a career Grand Slam. And if he wins the championship this week he would also reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.
Gulbis was riding a nine-match winning streak, including a title in Nice, France, two weeks ago. He had been 13-0 on French soil for the year, including an earlier title, in Marseille.
Gulbis had not lost to a seeded player at a Grand Slam event since the 2010 Australian Open, compiling a 5-0 mark prior to Friday.
Djokovic is 44-21 in his career ATP finals, including 3-0 this year.
His opponent in Sunday's final will be the current world No. 1 and eight- time champion Nadal or seventh-seeded Wimbledon titlist Andy Murray. The 13- time Grand Slam winner Nadal captured a fourth straight French Open title last year by besting David Ferrer in an all-Spanish finale.
The amazing Nadal is trying to become the first man to capture five straight French Open championships.
The 2014 French Open champ will claim $2.245 million.
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