Defending champion Rafael Nadal moved closer to an historic eighth French Open title Friday when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 9-7 in a titanic semi-final.
Nadal, the third seed, took his Paris record to a staggering 58 wins from 59 matches after recovering from 4-2 down in the deciding set to clinch victory after 4 hours and 37 minutes.
The 27-year-old Spaniard, bidding to become the first man to win the same major for the eighth time, moved into his 17th Grand Slam final where he’ll face either home hope Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Spanish compatriot David Ferrer.
Friday’s win was Nadal’s 20th in 35 career clashes — and 13th from 16 on clay — against Djokovic who still needs a French Open title to become only eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
In a dramatic and controversial final set, Djokovic broke for 1-0 before Nadal levelled in the eighth game after the Serb had been handed a time violation and then lost a point when he collided with the net as he put away a smash.
Djokovic even summoned the tournament referee onto the court to argue his case that he had been wronged by umpire Pascal Maria and continued to rage as he prepared to serve at 7-8.
Nadal pounced, moving to three match points and clinched victory when Djokovic, who ended with an ugly 75 unforced errors, hit wild and long.
“It’s a very special win for me and congratulations to Novak — he’s a great champion and he is going to win here at Garros one day,” said Nadal, who had lost the pair’s only other five-setter, the record-setting 2012 Australian Open final.
“When I was serving for the match it was against the wind so I knew that it would be a tough game.
“It was a similar match to the one in Australia in 2012 and he won. This time it is me that won and that is what makes sport so big.”
On Sunday, Nadal will be appearing in his ninth final since returning from a seven-month injury lay-off.
“During these seven months out of the game there were some low moments, but everybody supported me and there was a lot of positive energy,” added the Spaniard, who has already claimed six titles in 2013.
“David and Jo both reached the semis without losing a set so they must be playing fantastic.”
reality bites
Guest
One key difference for me is that Nadal doesn't play his best tennis against Novak. They play incredibly hard fought matches, but Nadal just doesn't seem to play his best. You could say Novak doesn't let him, but I'm not so sure. Nadal doesn't play his best against lower ranked players either. Same with Tsonga, both guys fire against Federer, basically red line their play the whole match.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Interestingly this is the first Roland Garros Nadal has dropped more than 3 sets. So far he's dropped 4. Prior to 2013, he'd dropped 3 sets in 2005, 2006, 2009(loss to Soderling) and 2011. In 2007 and 2012 he dropped 1 set each time. 2008 and 2010 he didn't down a set
clipper
Guest
It would be on of the biggest upsets if Ferrer did win - just a pity it wasn't Tsonga, as he is capable of pulling off a stunning match, whereas Ferrer is just a grinder.
JGK
Roar Guru
Ferrer isn't remotely capable of beating Rafa on clay. Is going to be a terribly one sided final.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
In all honesty this was Djokovic's chance to win the French Open Nadal got seriously tight in the 4th set, possibly for this being his first major in nearly 10 months. If Nadal beats Ferrer, Nadal will be desperate to win the 2014 French Open title. As he would become the only man to win Roland Garros 5 consecutive times.
Johnno
Guest
Nadal also crushed Noval's dreams of grand slam. It's almost impossible to win a grand slam after the age of 28, so next year will be the finally of that dream for both Nadal-Novak, next year is there final chance at that. Novak if he'd of snuck through in the French, he would of fancied his chanced of pulling of grand slam, as he likes playing at wimbledon and the us open. Nadal is aiming for his 4th straight French open, and 8th French open title. I think if he wins the french this year, he will overtake Pistol Pete, int he all time great stakes. Pete could never compete on clay, and only ever made a French open semi. Nadal like Wilander has won on all surfaces like Agassi and Sampras. Wilander was a teenager to at 17 years winning the french, Nadal won his 1st French open at 19 years of age on his 19th birthday. And like Mats he won the French on his 1st attempt. A real Eurovision shoot-put tonight Europa was alight, real old school sluggers slugging it out in Paris. Good stuff Rafa, good luck in the final hope you win a 4th straight title.
Johnno
Guest
The Nadal-Djokovic rivalry has more potential than Federer-Nadalm why?. Both the same age. Nadal surprisingly the younger of the 2 by just 1 month bit born in 1986, but seemingly has done so much more in his career before 2011. Yes Novak won the OZ, in 2008 but you know what I mean. Rafa's 1st slam was on his 19th birthday in 2005 for heaven's sake. And we all what happened after that, the rest his history. Where as Novak had his break out slam win in 2008, he didn't set the tennis world on total fire until 2011. He didn't win any slams after his OZ open win in 2008 until 2011 OZ open. But now here we have it, a fully fit Nadal again, and both the same age in the prime of there careers bring it on. Where as in 2007 when the Nadal-fed Rivalry really kicked in, Fed was 5 years older than Nadal. Where as the fiery Serb and the Spanish matador are both 27 the same age, in the prime of there careers. A pure rivalry.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
The turning point of the Nadal/Djokovic rivalry. In 2011, Djokovic finally manned up and beat Nadal in a final. He went to win Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian Open(in heart breaking fashion) 7-0 H2H Since 2012, Nadal and Djokovic have played 5 times, all on clay Nadal leads 4-1 H2H Nadal has finay shifted some of that mental baggage, which will now shift to Djokovic Djokovic was up in the fifth and still couldn't seal the deal. I want to see a Nadal-Djokovic meeting at Wimbledon this year.
Frankie Hughes
Guest