2016 FRENCH OPEN: Men's Semifinals Preview

Here are my predictions for the men's semifinal matches at the 2016 French Open. Last year I correctly predicted 3 of 4 women's quarterfinals and correctly predicted 3 of 4 men's quarterfinals. This year I correctly predicted 4 of 4 men's quarterfinals and 3 of 4 women's quarterfinals. I have also done a preview of the women's semifinals.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Dominic Thiem (AUT) [13]. The 22-year-old Thiem finally has his first major result of his young career. By coming back from a set and a break down (after leading 4-2 in the first set and then dropping six consecutive games) against his good friend David Goffin, Thiem demonstrated why many think he is fast rising to the top of the #NextGen players. In fact. Thiem is guaranteed to be ranked as high as #7 regardless of what happens in this semifinal. With that being said, Djokovic is trying to reach his sixth consecutive major final. The obstacle in his way is a player over whom he has a  2-0 career head-to-head lead. If (when) he gets past him then he will either face the man who beat him in last year's final or the man whom he has beaten in the last two Australian Open finals. With Nadal withdrawing and his combined record of 46-14 against the remaining semifinalists. This is Djokovic's chance to make history, and join the pantheon of the all-time truly great players. Mad Professah's pick: Djokovic.

Andy Murray (GBR) [2] vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3]. Murray has a slight head-to-head lead of 8-7 over Wawrinka but has lost the last three matches they have played in the last three years and Wawrinka is 2-0 in their clay court matches. Regardless of that, I believe that the 29-year-old Brit is ready to do what it takes to eliminate the 31-year-old defending Roland Garros champion and break through to reach the final of the one major that has so far eluded him. Murray has been making steady progress on clay and has been demonstrating that he is one of the best clay court players in the world. Last year, Wawrinka stunned Djokovic and amazed the world  against the World #1 (and presumptive world's best clay court player) with his play in the Roland Garros final. This year the big question is can Stan replicate his 2015 performance? I suspect the answer is no. Mad Professah's pick: Murray.