By Kamakshi Tandon

Roger Federer (SUI)[1] vs. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)[4]Men's SF: Court Philippe Chatrier – 2:00 pm

From Federer’s perspective, the crucial thing about Davydenko as a semifinal opponent might be that he isn’t Guillermo Canas. In tennis terms, the Russian is probably a tougher player at the moment, but psychologically, Canas’ two wins over Federer earlier in the year might have made him a tougher opponent.

Davydenko, meanwhile, has lost to Federer all eight times they’ve played and talked about needing to step it up a level, meaning that he doesn’t think that even his extremely solid play at the event so far will be enough for a win.

Federer, who is well aware of what their-head-to-head is, knows that he just has to turn in a solid performance to get through, because Davydenko has no huge weapons with which to impose himself. Still, if Federer goes walkabout as he’s done once in a while, Davydenko all-purpose, consistent game will be effective at exploiting the temporary weakness. If the lapse happens early or for more than a set and a half, and the match could get interesting. That’s what happened in Australian two hears ago.

But it’s mostly in Federer’s hands.

Prediction: Federer

Novak Djokovic (SRB)[6] vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]Men's SF: Court Philippe Chartier – 2nd match

This is fast becoming the best rivalry between the young guns on the men’s tour at the moment. When they played in the quarterfinals of this event last year, Djokoivc retired when down two sets, and then infamously suggested he had been in control of the match.

Nadal was again the winner when he faced a nervous Djokovic in Indian Wells earlier this year, but the fast-learning Serb got him at their next event in Miami with a surperb performance. In Rome, it was Nadal’s turn once more.

Djokovic has improved his backhand over the couple of years and is working on coming to net more, so the two should match up well on faster surfaces when they play from now on. But is Djokovic ready to hand Nadal is first French Open defeat?

Nadal’s last victim, good friend and fellow Mallorcan Carlos Moya, had this assessment: “I don't know if he can win, but he has the game to play well, and to give Nadal some trouble.”

That’s probably about as far as any observer would go.

Prediction: Nadal