Novak Djokovic Defeats Tommy Haas to Advance at 2013 French Open

Men's overall top seed Novak Djokovic cruised past 35-year-old Tommy Haas on Wednesday, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, to roll into the semifinals at the 2013 French Open, according to the tournament's official Twitter account: 

Djokovic will advance to the semifinals at Roland Garros for the third straight year and for the fifth time in his singles career. He will take on reigning champion and seven-time winner Rafael Nadal on Friday.

Nadal defeated Djokovic in four sets in the men's final at Roland Garros a year ago. Djokovic is 0-4 all time against Nadal at Roland Garros.

On Wednesday, the world No. 1 came out fast and strong in the opening set against Haas, serving up four aces and striking 14 winners in all on his way to closing out the first frame 6-3 in half an hour. Djokovic committed just six unforced errors in the first set and won all four of his points at the net.

Haas would bounce back with a much better performance in the second set, however, forcing a tiebreak.  

But despite taking an early 4-2 lead in the tiebreak, Haas would fade, dropping key points to Djokovic to fall into a two-set hole, per Roland Garros:

The third set would be hotly contested as well, with Haas rallying late, breaking Djokovic to level the set at five games apiece.

The No. 1 seed would rebound, though, breaking Haas right back and winning the final two games to take the set and the match.

Djokovic will have one day to rest before gearing up for a much-anticipated showdown with rival Rafael Nadal on Friday. Nadal leads their head-to-head series 19-15 and is 12-3 all time against Djokovic on clay.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.