Nadal, Djokovic to meet in semifinals

PARIS, June 3 (UPI) -- Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Serb Novak Djokovic will meet in the French Open semifinals after both garnered quarterfinal victories Tuesday.

Nadal, the second-seeded reigning three-time French Open champion, celebrated his 22nd birthday with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 trouncing of fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who was playing in his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Nadal has never lost in the French Open's main draw where he is 26-0. He is 113-2 on red clay since 2005, including victories over Roger Federer in the last two French Open finals.

The 21-year-old, third-seeded Djokovic won 7-5, 7-6 (7-3). 7-5 over 19-year-old Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who also was playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Nadal and Djokovic meet Friday. Nadal is 7-3 lifetime against Djokovic. He beat him him in the quarterfinals here in 2006 and and in semifinals last year.

The quarterfinals wind up Wednesday, when top-seeded Federer plays Chilean Fernando Gonzalez and fifth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer plays Frenchman Gael Monfils.