Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory
(AFP via Getty Images)
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 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in a vintage French Open quarter-final clash on Tuesday.
The 13-time Roland Garros champion, beaten by the world number one in the semi-finals here last year, arrived in Paris on the back of two injuries that had hampered his preparations.
Having already survived a five-set thriller against Felix Auger Aliassime in the previous round, the Spaniard, who has only lost three times at the French Open since his first campaign in 2005, knows every inch of the immense court Philippe Chatrier and Djokovic paid for the reminder.
The Serbian 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.
On the day teenager Carlos Alcaraz, who has been widely tipped as his successor, was knocked out, Nadal threw the punches and had defending champion Djokovic on the ropes in a high octane start under the spotlights.
Djokovic fought back in an 88-minute second set but the 35-year-old Nadal, backed by a partisan crowd, found the resources to end it in four sets despite being a break down in the fourth and set up a meeting with German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in Sunday’s final.
Zverev beat Alcaraz in four sets earlier. Relive the action from the French Open, below:
French Open 2022: Day 10 ends
Thanks very much for joining our coverage from Roland Garros today. We’ll leave you with the report on an extraordinary match.
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:55
French Open 2022: Nadal remains coy on future
Urged to reassure fans that this won’t be his last French Open, Nadal said: “See you in two days, that’s the only thing I can say. Thank you.”
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:45
French Open 2022: Djokovic on his defeat
“He was just able to take his tennis to another level in those particular moments in the beginning of all sets, except the fourth…I had my chances…he showed why he’s a great champion, staying mentally tough…he deserved it.”
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:32
French Open 2022: Nadal on his victory
“I am very emotional, thank you, thank you everyone. It was incredible for me. It was so important for the crowd to be behind me. It was really special. It was a very tough match, Novak is one of the best players in history. There is only one way to beat Novak and that is to play at your best.”
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:25
French Open 2022: Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 6-7 Nadal
Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory
(AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:21
French Open 2022: Nadal wins in four sets
Nadal wins! A net cord helped him in the rally, he reasserted himself by getting back on the forehand, Djokovic’s response was too short and the Spaniard drives a backhand winner down the line. What a match.
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:17
French Open 2022: Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 6-6 Nadal
An astonishingly good return from Djokovic. He blazes it straight past Nadal, who had no chance. 6-4.
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:15
French Open 2022: Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 6-6 Nadal
Djokovic saves another, forcing Nadal into a forehand error. It’s the Spaniard who has the serve now though.
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:14
French Open 2022: Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 6-6 Nadal
Djokovic saves the first with a huge kick serve out wide and a punched backhand winner that leaves Nadal wrong-footed. Four match points to go. 6-2.
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:13
French Open 2022: Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6 6-6 Nadal
Djokovic attempts a drop shot that was a little desperate under the circumstances and it clips the net. It’s 6-1 Nadal. Five match points!
Tom Kershaw1 June 2022 00:12
