Nadal excited for \'special\' Federer battle at French Open

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 4, 2019) (FFT - NO RESALES) 1.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) TENNIS PLAYER, RAFA NADAL, SAYING: "Personally, for me the main thing is being in the semi-finals.

The way that I have been playing, have been going is very positive.

I have been playing well, solid, winning good matches against tough opponents like today.

I am happy about that of course after having Roger in front in the semi-finals is an extra thing.

We have shared the most important moments of our careers together on court facing each other and so it's another episode of this and happy for that and excited.

It will be a special moment and let's try to be ready for it." 2.

WHITE FLASH 3.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) TENNIS PLAYER, RAFA NADAL, SAYING: "No, no, now I have just finished my match.

Two days off, is the moment to stay a little bit away from all of this and after tomorrow start a little bit freedom with the mind clear, enjoying family, practicing a little bit but without many goals.

Probably tomorrow just moving the ball and after tomorrow start to think about what we want to do but is always a big match against him.

The level of tennis that you need to play always is the highest and I am playing well but I need to play really well against him and I hope to be ready to make that happen." STORY: The French Open second seed Rafa Nadal, who now has a 91-2 win-loss record at the claycourt Grand Slam, was barely bothered by the seventh-seeded Nishikori as he set up a mouth-watering last-four meeting with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

"Being honest, personally for me the main thing is being in the semi-final," said Nadal, who would not be drawn into talking about Friday's 39th meeting between the two great rivals.

"The way that I have been playing has been, being honest, very positive.

I have been playing well, very solid.

"Of course after having Roger in front in the semi-finals is an extra thing.

We shared the most important moments of our careers together on court facing each other.

So it is another episode of this, and happy for that and excited, no?

It will be a special moment, and let's try to be ready for it." Nadal is due to play Federer on Friday (June 7).