Novak Djokovic v Ernests Gulbis, Roland Garros 2014: Where to Watch Live and Preview

Novak Djokovic takes on Ernests Gulbis in the first semi-final clash of the 2014 Roland Garros Tennis tournament on Court Philippe Chatrier, Paris, on Friday.

Where to Watch Live

The match is scheduled to begin at 12pm BST. Live coverage will be on ITV 4, British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2. Radio commentary, regular updates and live scores are available on Roland Garros' official website.

Overview

Djokovic paved his way into the French Open semi-final for the fourth year in a row by thumping eighth seed Milos Raonic in the quarterfinal on Tuesday. The 27-year-old outclassed his Canadian opponent, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4, in straight sets taking 142 minutes.

Meanwhile, Gulbis pulled off his second top-six scalp of the tournament when he sent world no 6, Tomas Berdych crashing from this Grand Slam event.

The 25-year-old conjured a stunning victory over five sets against world no 4, Roger Federer in the fourth round. The Latvian enjoyed a relatively easy clash against Berdych and defeated the sixth seed, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, needing almost two hours.

Gulbis has secured his place among the last four of a Grand Slam event for the first time in his career. He will certainly be motivated to pull off another scalp and reach his first final.

Djokovic, has only dropped one set in this year's tournament so far, losing in the third set tiebreaker against Marin Cilic in the third round. Being crowned champion in Paris is the only highlight missing from the CV of the six-time Grand Slam winner and losing to Rafael Nadal in the final in 2012 is the only time he came close.

He will certainly be cautious to not let his guard down and brush aside Gublis' efforts in the best possible way.

The winner of this match will have a chance to oust and claim Nadal's crown on Sunday. The eight-time Roland Garros champion will be in action against British no 1, Andy Murray at the same venue, scheduled to begin once the clash between Djokovic and Gulbis concludes.

Click here to read the preview of the second semi-final between Nadal and Murray.

Head-to-Head

Djokovic holds a 4-1 lead over Gulbis in overall meetings. The pair have faced each other once in a Grand Slam event where the Serbian emerged victorious in their first competitive meeting.

Roland Garros History

Djokovic and Gulbis clashed in this tournament in 2008. Even though the world no 2 registered victory in straight sets, he needed more than three hours to beat the Latvian at the quarterfinal stage.

What They Say

Novak Djokovic: "He was always very talented. I remember he came out in the practices swinging fully through the ball. He always had this confidence about him that you could say that even though he was 14, 15 at the time that he was going to become something big. He's been playing really well. He's confident. But again, I like my chances because I have had now couple of great weeks on the clay courts from Rome to now last ten days here in Roland Garros."

Ernests Gulbis: "If I feel so confident from the baseline, then everything just comes together. The way I'm playing now, I never played like this. I never felt like this. What was in the past I don't even consider. I beat him once, also in a bad match. He was changing racquet, and he was playing really bad. I think just for me it's 0-0 with him in matches."

Route to Semi-final

Novak Djokovic

• First Round: 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 v Joao Sousa
• Second Round: 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 v Jeremy Chardy
• Third Round: 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4 v Marin Cilic
• Fourth Round: 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
• Quarterfinal: 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4 v Milos Raonic

Ernests Gulbis

• First Round: 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-1 v Lukasz Kubot
• Second Round: 6-2, 7-5, 6-0 v Facundo Bagnis
• Third Round: 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 v Radek Stepanek
• Fourth Round: 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 v Roger Federer
• Quarterfinal: 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 v Tomas Berdych