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Djokovic relegated to the classroom

Paris: Novak Djokovic received a tennis lesson courtesy of Rafael Nadal in the French Open semifinals.

"From every match, I learn something new," said Djokovic, who lost on Friday to Nadal, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2. "Especially this tournament - it's one of the four biggest tournaments in tennis, and it brought me a lot of positive things. I can always learn something new out of the Grand Slam."

The 20-year-old Serb, touted as a future champion because of his all-around game, reached the semifinals at a major event for the first time. He held his own against Nadal for a set, but the Spaniard's typically dogged play eventually deflated Djokovic.

After Nadal made a mad dash to swat a running forehand winner and break for a 4-3 lead in the second set, Djokovic sat in his chair and crossed himself, as if in tribute to his opponent.

Djokovic has climbed to sixth from 16th in the rankings since the start of the year, but he knows there's still a gap between him and the top two players - No.2 Nadal and No.1 Roger Federer.

"So far I have had incredible results for my age," Djokovic said. "But I say what is realistic: They are the two best players in the world right now. On every surface, they are the biggest favourites to win the title. And I think everybody knows that.

"But I will work hard to try to one day be best in the world."

Djokovic led a Serb surge at Roland Garros. The nation had three Grand Slam semifinalists for the first time, with Ana Ivanovic playing in the women's final Saturday, and Jelena Jankovic also making the women's final four.

Doubles glory

Alicia Molik of Australia capped a comeback when she and Mara Santangelo of Italy won their first French Open doubles title Friday, beating Katarina Srebotnik and Ai Sugiyama 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Molik's other Grand Slam title came in doubles in the 2005 Australian Open with Svetlana Kuznetsova. Molik missed the first several months of 2006 with an inner ear infection.

"It has obviously been a long journey for me, back from an injury," Molik said. "And it's moments like these that you really pinch yourself and realize why you put in those long hours of practice, and why you work so hard and diligently.

"So I think it's a great achievement for both of us."

Molik and Santangelo were seeded 17th.

Three's enough

Three-time French Open champion Justine Henin says three sets for women are enough.

Men play best-of-five sets at Grand Slam events, and women play best-of-three.

"I think women's tennis is good like it is now," Henin said. "And physically, you know, we're not maybe that strong. It will be also tough. And I'm not quite sure it would be good for tennis. You wouldn't see a very good level in a very long match." — AP

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