4-DOMINIC THIEM
Age: 25
ATP Ranking: 4 (Highest ranking: 4)
Grand Slam titles: 0
2018 French Open performance: Runner-up
Best French Open performance: Runner-up (2018)
Road to final:
First round: Tommy Paul (U.S.) 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2
Second round: Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5
Third round: Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 6-3 4-6 6-2 7-5
Fourth round: 14-Gael Monfils (France) 6-4 6-4 6-2
Quarter-finals: 10-Karen Khachanov (Russia) 6-2 6-4 6-2
Semi-finals: 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-2 3-6 7-5 5-7 7-5
Thiem, who is chasing his maiden Grand Slam crown, ground out a tough victory against top seed Novak Djokovic in a rain-hit semi-final to set up a rematch of last year's title clash with holder Nadal.
The 25-year-old has added aggression to his game in recent months, which has earned him titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona this season, and will look to cause a major upset on Parisian clay.
2-RAFA NADAL
Age: 33
ATP Ranking: 2 (Highest ranking: 1)
Grand Slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; U.S. Open 2010, 2013, 2017)
2018 French Open performance: Winner
Best French Open performance: Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
Road to final:
First round: Yannick Hanfmann (Germany) 6-2 6-1 6-3
Second round: Yannick Maden (Germany) 6-1 6-2 6-4
Third round: 27-David Goffin (Belgium) 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3
Fourth round: Juan Ignacio Londero (Argentina) 6-2 6-3 6-3
Quarter-finals: 7-Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6-1 6-1 6-3
Semi-finals: 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3 6-4 6-2
Nadal has looked unstoppable in his quest for a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title and was at his ruthless best in his semi-final victory over great rival Roger Federer.
The Spaniard's sparkling run in Paris comes on the back of his Rome title win, which followed semi-final exits in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.
Head to head: Nadal leads 8-4
Last five matches:
2019 Thiem d Nadal 6-4 6-4 (Barcelona, clay)
2018 Nadal d Thiem 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 7-6(5) (U.S. Open, hard)
2018 Nadal d Thiem 6-4 6-3 6-2 (French Open, clay)
2018 Thiem d Nadal 7-5 6-3 (Madrid, clay)
2018 Nadal d Thiem 6-0 6-2 (Monte Carlo, clay)
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
