PHOTO OP: Rafa turns 22, gives back at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal celebrated his 22nd birthday today by giving back.

The 3-time defending champ gifted Nicolas Almagro all of 3 games in a scarily dominating 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 performance over an in-form dirtballer and matching the 3 games he gifted Fernando Verdasco in the round of 16. The stats say it all: 47 winners against 9 errors, 68% first serve percentage, and converted 8 of 13 break point chances. I'm scared!

Rafa also gifted all of us tennis fans with one of the Marquee Matchups we've all been waiting for - a semifinal with growing nemesis Novak Djokovic, who defeated future star Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-5, for a place in the final Sunday.

Check back for my preview of the Rafa-Nole semifinal tomorrow!

*Via Down the Line!

(image via Getty)