By Mike Dickson Follow @@Mike_Dickson_DM From getting lost on the Metro to badly chipping his tooth on a baguette to making miraculous mid-match recoveries from injury — strange things tend to happen to Andy Murray at the French Open. Nothing, however, could top the tale of the unexpected that would be reaching the final at the expense of Rafael Nadal, the man who has only ever lost one best-of-five-set match on clay out of 89 played. Without a head coach and largely scratching around for form prior to the event, Murray must defeat not only the eight-time champion, but also the opponent who has proved the most formidable obstacle to his ambitions at Grand Slams.
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Nadal has only ever lost one best-of-five set match on clay out of 89 played
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The world No 1 is an eight-time champion at Roland Garros
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Murray took Nadal to three sets at the Italian Open last month
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The Spaniard leads the head-to-head record 14-5
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Novak Djokovic faces Ernests Gulbis in Friday's first semi-final
Respect: Murray lost to Nadal in three sets in their last semi-final clash at @placeholder in 2011