French Open: Nadal Beats Djokovic, Advances To Semi-Finals
Men’s tennis world number 5 Rafael Nadal advanced to the French Open semi-finals after an epic 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) victory against top seed Novak Djokovic, staying on course for a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title.
The 13-time Roland Garros champion, Nadal, who was beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open last year, arrived in Paris on the back of two injuries that had hampered his preparations.
A 10-minute opening game, won by Nadal on Djokovic’s serve, set the tone of the clash of the heavyweights. Nadal broke a second time with a trademark forehand winner down the line, before wrapping up the first set on serve when Djokovic made his ninth unforced error.
Djokovic fell 3-0 behind in the second, but a poorly executed drop shot by Nadal allowed him to pull a break back. In a key 18-minute sixth game, Djokovic broke again on his fifth attempt when Nadal’s backhand went wide.
The Serbian faced a break point in the following game but Nadal was playing too short and the Djokovic bagged his fourth consecutive point in a spectacular turnaround.
Nadal just managed to hold for 4-4 but cracked on serve at 5-4 as Djokovic levelled the match.
Nadal then started the third set in similar fashion as the first, racing to a 4-1 lead and wrapping it up on yet another unforced error from Djokovic.
In a see-saw contest, Djokovic regained the upper hand to open a 3-0 lead in the fourth set but Nadal would not go into a fifth set, breaking back for 4-5 before forcing a tiebreak in which he gave his opponent no chance.
Nadal claimed an emphatic victory against his arch rival Djokovic, setting up a meeting with German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in Sunday’s final.
“It’s a very emotional moment for me. Thank you everyone. It’s incredible, the support I get from you. Everyone knows how important it is for me to play here. It’s the most important tournament of my career,” Nadal said on court after the thrilling encounter with Djokovic.
“Very tough match. Djokovic is one of the best players in history. Playing against him is always a big challenge. Against him there’s only one way to play – at your best level from the first point to the last. And today was a magic night for me. Unexpected level from me.”
Talks of an end to Rafael Nadal’s reign proved premature once again as the claycourt king stayed on course for a record-extending men’s 22nd Grand Slam title by beating arch rival Novak Djokovic in a vintage French Open quarter-final clash.
Djokovic is still stuck at 20 Grand Slam titles after being barred from taking part in the Australian Open by local authorities over his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – a major that Nadal won.
🎥 Check out the best moments of @RafaelNadal ‘s thrilling four-set win over No.1 Novak Djokovic with Highlights by @emirates#RolandGarros | #EmiratesFlyBetterMoments pic.twitter.com/3F2oFCSD00
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Chidi Nwoke/Reuters/Roland Garros.
