Image source, Reuters

Nadal falls to his knees, lets go of his racquet and covers his face with his hands at the moment he becomes the first man in history to win nine titles at any Grand Slam event.

The spectators on Chatrier mistakenly think we haven't been entertained enough this afternoon so they start a Mexican Wave. Djokovic serving to stay in the match and he wins a nerve-easing first point. Djokovic has only won 37% of points on his second serve, though, which is perhaps why Nadal has the upper hand.

If you're wearing a hat then doff it for Senor Nadal because the Spaniard passes Djokovic at the net with a magnificent backhand crosscourt winner.

And cue the Jaws soundtrack. Der-dum-der-dum... Djokovic in iffy waters. Break point Nadal - and Djokovic concedes with a double fault.

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"That was a very important game for Novak to try to break Novak to try to break Rafa to serve for the set, but now he is serving to stay in the match."

Djokovic frothing at the mouth as he watches a crisp Nadal forehand fly by. He taps his head with his strings, screams into the dirt. Errors creeping into Nadal's game, though, and Djokovic scraps to 30-30 and, then, to deuce. If this were a boxing match both corners would have thrown in the towel but the fight continues - even after three hours and 24 minutes. Nadal celebrates like a super-charged Tarzan as he scrapes to within a game of the match.

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Now we really have a match, Novak might well be feeling it a bit more physically than Rafa but knowing what kind of champion he is we know he will dig deep."

Image source, AFP

Day one in the job and Andy Murray's new coach, Amelie Mauresmo, is already doing her homework, studying the Wimbledon champion's main rivals ahead of the defence of his title. Perhaps she will have noted that Djokovic isn't the sort of man to roll over and die even if you lock him in a dungeon and feed him on a diet of gruel. Parity is restored and this match could go the distance.

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's exciting to see a few signs of life from Novak, getting pumped up, digging deep as it gets closer to victory for Nadal. Novak needs to raise his percentage of first serves, he's not been serving that well until now."

Image source, AP

Even an eight-time champion, a man who has only lost on this territory once, becomes nervous. At 15-30, Nadal flops at an overhead and Djokovic has two break back points. Nadal saves one but Djokovic, digging into his almost infinite reserves of energy, returns with gusto and Nadal's forehand drifts wide. Djokovic punches the air. The Serb lives on!

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's not looking good for Novak right now, Rafa looks strong and attacking, Novak looks like he is lacking energy and is missing shots he normally does not miss."

Image source, AP

A few shots from Djokovic which would make the bloopers reel, specifically a clumsy forehand into the tramlines. Family Nadal are perched on the edge of their seats as they watch their boy battle to deuce.

Tired errors from Djokovic at advantage. This time it's a faulty backhand volley and, suddenly, his backhand become his enemy as he nets once more to present Nadal with a break point.

The Serb starts a monologue while the spectators whoop and whistle. Wild from the Serb, plonking a crosscourt forehand into the tramlines and Nadal can now almost touch history.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"It might be the flimsiest of straws to clutch at for Djokovic fans, but the clouds are rolling in and it's certainly not the baking hot afternoon sunshine of a little earlier. The Serb is still not looking too chipper though, and he's stuck on 39 winners and 39 errors, pretty much summing up his situation. Stuck in the dirt."

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"The conditions suit Rafa, it's very hot and sunny, and Novak's face is very red. Novak was very flat in the last two sets, and when they're down in men's tennis they sometimes try to save their energy. But here he either wins the set or he loses the match, so he needs to pick up his energy levels and intensity."

Image source, AFP

This set resembling a bubbling geyser (stick with it), with everyone huddled around, patiently waiting in anticipation for a wildly burst of action. A hold to love for Nadal and we're still waiting for something awe-inspiring to happen.

Nadal upping the ante from the very start, pulling Djokovic this way and that before seeing the Serb off with a lassoed forehand winner. Nadal, lip curled in a snarl, walks away from a botched forehand in disgust, punching his forehead at the stupidity of his choice. A series of errors from the Spaniard follows and an under-par Djokovic is allowed to level.

Brandon Knight:, external Nadal must be so demoralising to play against! Djokovic had the control but is struggling now.

Phoebe Rountree:, external For the sake of exciting tennis, Novak, bring it back.

Djokovic misses an opportunity at 15-30, returning a 77mph second serve into the tape. The cameras go in search of Boris Becker but the German's demeanour doesn't reveal too much. The Serb returns long once more and Nadal is handed a lifeline, which he makes the most of.

Mary Pierce
Former Australian and French Open champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"That's an important hold for Novak, and it is getting very, very hot. I feel sorry for Boris Becker out there, he's getting redder and redder!"

Image source, European Photopress Agency

Djokovic took two hours to enter the interview room after his semi-final victory over Ernests Gulbis, sparking suggestion he wasn't feeling well. The Serb said afterwards he was suffering from "general fatigue". His energy levels have dipped in this match but he holds with aplomb in this game, finishing with a stylish ace.

Dennis Ethan:, external No way back now for Novak Djokovic. Game set and vamos Rafa!

Ijaz:, external Nadal fighting back like a true champion. He's the Cristiano Ronaldo of tennis.

Djokovic has only won one of the last five Grand Slam finals he has competed in. He needs to win the next two sets against the greatest clay court player of them all if he is to start reversing that statistic. A convincing hold if ever there was one and Djokovic trudges back to his chair, muttering something or other towards someone in his camp.