Murray, Nadal eye dream French Open final

Rafael Nadal continues his pursuit of a 10th French Open title when he meets Dominic Thiem, the only man to beat him on clay this year, in Friday's semi-finals.

Andy Murray, bidding to be the first British men's champion in 82 years, faces 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka.

AFP Sports previews the two matches:

• World number one Murray was the first British man in the Roland Garros final since Bunny Austin in 1937 when he finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year.
• Two more victories would make him the first Briton to lift the men's trophy since Fred Perry 82 years ago.
• Wawrinka, like Murray a three-time major winner, has made his trademark understated progress to a third successive semi-final.
• The Swiss third seed, at 32, is the oldest man to get to the last four since Jimmy Connors back in 1985. He lost to Murray in the semi-finals last year.

• Nadal wary of Thiem's 'potential' 

Head-to-head: Murray leads 10-7

Murray says: "I came into Paris playing garbage. Stan's been playing very well. He's confident. It's going to be very tough."

Wawrinka says: "I think he's struggling a little bit since the beginning of the year, but he's in the semi-final. So a champion like him, he's playing better and better."

Fast facts

Murray: Age - 30; World ranking - 1; Prize money - $59,842,103; Career titles - 45, Grand Slam titles - 3; French Open best - Runner-up (2016)

Wawrinka: Age - 32; World ranking - 3; Prize money - $29,378,107; Career titles - 16; Grand Slam titles - 3; French Open best - Champion (2015)

• Champion Djokovic stunned by Thiem at French Open 

Paths to the semi-finals

Murray

1st rd: bt Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0

2nd rd: bt Martin Klizan (SVK) 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3)

3rd rd: bt Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x29) 7-6 (10/8), 7-5, 6-0

4th rd: bt Karen Khachanov (RUS) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

QF: bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1

• Anderson wants speedy return after French Open injury 

Wawrinka

1st rd: bt Jozef Kovalik (SVK) 6-2, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3

2nd rd: bt Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5

3rd rd: bt Fabio Fognini (ITA x28) 7-6 (7/2), 6-0, 6-2

4th rd: bt Gael Monfils (FRA x15) 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2

QF: bt Marin Cilic (CRO x7) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1

• Kevin Anderson books a last 16 spot in Paris

• Nadal has spent just under eight hours on court through five rounds and dropped just 22 games so far.
• Bjorn Borg surrendered just 32 games on his way to the 1978 title, but Nadal insisted he has no interest in such records.
• Thiem condemned Djokovic to a first straight-sets loss at a major in four years in his stunning quarter-final triumph, avenging his defeat to the Serb in the 2016 semi-finals.
• He is the only man this year to have defeated Nadal on clay this year with his last-eight win in Rome offsetting losses in the final in Barcelona and Madrid.

Head-to-head: Nadal leads 4-2

Nadal says: "I'd like to thank all those who say that I'm a favourite, but I know that each day there is a different match and there is a different opponent."

Thiem says: "It's a joke how tough it is to win a Slam. I beat Novak. On Friday it's Nadal."

Fast facts

Nadal: Age - 31; World ranking - 4; Prize money - $83,573,172; Career titles - 72, Grand Slam titles - 14, French Open best - Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Thiem: Age - 23; World ranking - 7; Prize money - $7,049,918; Career titles - 8, Grand Slam titles - 0; French Open best - Semi-final (2016, 2017)

Paths to the semi-finals

Nadal

1st rd: bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-1, 6-4, 6-1

2nd rd: bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-1, 6-4, 6-3

3rd rd: bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-0, 6-1, 6-0

4th rd: bt Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x17) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

QF: bt Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x20) 6-2, 2-0 - retired

Thiem

1st rd: bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-4, 6-0, 6-2

2nd rd: bt Simone Bolelli (ITA) 7-5, 6-1, 6-3

3rd rd: bt Steve Johnson (USA x25) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3

4th rd: bt Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-1, 6-3, 6-1

QF: bt bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0