Rafael Nadal won a classic encounter with old foe Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.
The Spanish superstar, looking for an astonishing 14th Roland Garros title, battled to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory over the defending champion.
NADAL WINS! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/QYPz8NCuqI
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022
The epic encounter lasted four hours and 12 minutes and finished at 1.15 am local time.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner was beaten by the world No 1 in the semi-finals here last year.
Further to this, he arrived in Paris on the back of injuries and a chronic foot problem that hampered his preparations.
Speaking after the match, Nadal was extremely complimentary of his good friend and rival: "A very tough match," he said.
"Novak is one of the best players in history and playing against him is always an amazing challenge - today was another one.
"The only way to win against him is to play your best from the first point to the last. A magic night for me."
Giants of the game. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/cExSy3z6H4
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022
Djokovic departed the court rapidly after completion of the game and was welcoming toward the media.
The Serbian lost the first set, before fighting back from 3-love down to take the second.
He admitted that he gave himself false hope.
"I fought OK, you know, I'm back in the game," he said afterward.
"But then he had another 2/3 fantastic games at the beginning of the third.
"He was just able to take his tennis to another level at the beginning of all of the sets.
"He was a better player in important moments."
"He was a better player in important moments"
No.1 @DjokerNole on his loss to @RafaelNadal #RolandGarros
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2022
Nadal moves onto the semi-final where he will face third seed Alexander Zverev.
First semi-final is locked in ?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/aDGqazIZDx
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2022
