Men's Semifinals Recap: Nadal wins, Federer beats Djokovic in instant classic

The men's semifinals are finished, and wow, what a day of tennis. Fortunately, after much doubt, it was completed today, and the final is set. Rafael Nadal will meet Roger Federer for the fifth time here in Paris, the fourth in the final. We'll have the women's preview up later, but after the jump we'll take an in depth look at each match.

Previewing Nadal vs. Soderling

When the semifinals are set we'll have a preview of each individually, but this quarterfinal between Robin Soderling, two time finalist here, and Rafael Nadal, five time champion, is too good not to take an in-depth look. After the jump, we'll look at who has the advantage in each facet of the game and who should come out on top.

Day 7 Preview

Day 7 is the last day of the first part of the tournament. After tomorrow, the third round will be completed, leaving 16 men and 16 women still alive in their quest to win this tournament. This is where the fun pretenders give way to the real contenders. We're still in that first stage, however, and there's still some weeding out to do. On the men's side, Mardy Fish looks to be the only American to make it to the Round of 16, Nadal and Murray look to make it there again, and of course, there will be a conclusion to the del Potro-Djokovic match. That is the biggest match of the day, and, with the score being tied at one set apiece, it looks to be a race to the finish.  On the women's side, the major players look to avoid the upset bug, as Sharapova, Azarenka, Li, and Petkovic are all in action. With the unpredictability of the women's game in general and of these players' respective forms, anything is possible.

Main Event of the Day: Djokovic vs. del Potro
Undercard Match Worth Watching: Mardy Fish vs. Gilles Simon. The Frenchman has made some unsavory comments about the French Tennis Federation and American tennis, and this will be an interesting match as both are trying to make to their first Round of 16 at the French Open. Fish carries the hope of American tennis, and with Tsonga going out today, there's only Gasquet, Monfils, and Simon left as threats.
Upset Possibilities: del Potro over Djokovic, Cirstea over Li.

Day 3 Preview: What to Look for

There is almost no way that any player could replicate the feat that Stephane Robert accomplished today by beating word number 7 Tomas Berdych. It should be a fun day tomorrow though. In the match everyone's looking forward to, Rafael Nadal begins his defense of his title against American John Isner, he of 70-68 fame. With the new lighter balls that no one likes, it seems as if Isner had a classic puncher's chance. If he can hold his serve and if his forehand is on, he can threaten Nadal. There is precedence for a big hitter defeating Nadal early at Roland Garros. In 2009, Robin Soderling blasted the ball straight through him, and beat him in 4. Could that happen here? We'll find out tomorrow, but this is Isner's best chance, early in a major and conditions favoring a heavy hitter. That being said, I think Nadal will win, but it should be a fun ride.

Main Event of the Day: Nadal vs. Isner, see above
Undercard Match Worth Watching: Ryan Harrison vs. Robin Soderling. Harrison got in as a lucky loser when Soderling's original opponent, Benjamin Becker, withdrew. Harrison, while not as talented, always brings the fight, and this should be a fun scrap.
Upset Possibility of the Day: Besides Isner vs. Nadal, Juan Monaco over Fernando Verdasco. The emotional Spaniard Verdasco, has seen his ranking plummet, and Monaco is the type of player that can capitalize on that and keep it going down. Look for this upset.