Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

"A complete turnaround of tactics, physical ability, the emotions, the body language, everything swung around in that third set. Since Nadal won the second he has been in complete control."

Image source, AFP

A smile from Djokovic as even he allows himself to appreciate a moment of wizardry which sees the Serb making a muggle of Nadal with a crosscourt volley from the zaniest of angles. The defending champion taps his strings in acknowledgement of the second seed's magical powers.

A confident service game so far from the second seed - a bullet of an ace for a 40-15 score - but his game quickly unravels. He overcooks a backhand - his 12th unforced error of the set - and we're at deuce. Djokovic performs like Becker at the net, but he still can't stop Nadal passing him to bring up set point. Djokovic's resistance is broken. Another forehand long and the set belongs to the King.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

"That was quite dramatic from Djokovic, and he's still staring intently at his camp, it's extraordinary, he looks like a man possessed. But you can never write him off, he has a huge heart on a tennis court. He can be suffering physically, back against the wall and he finds more gears to go to."

Pat Cash, 1987 Wimbledon winner:, external Fitness, nerves and mental game are all playing a role in this French Open final.

Jim Patterson:, external Starting to look like Nadal's final to lose...and he's pretty good at closing out titles on clay isn't he?!

Suraj Kingh:, external This is what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force.

Image source, Reuters

Shadows lengthening on Court Philippe Chatrier. Two hours and 20 minutes have elapsed since battle commenced and, understandably, neither player is at the peak of his power. Both struggling in what appears to be sauna-like conditions. The points have been shortened, the error count creeping up.

Swish! Swoosh! Swoon! I just thought I'd add sound effects to emphasise how fabulous Djokovic's return was, dragging him to 40-30, and Nadal makes life difficult for himself with an ugly wide forehand. From 40-15 to deuce, but the Spaniard is off the hook as Djokovic goes long. The Serb slaps his racquet onto the dirt and the crowd respond with a pantomime hiss.

Advantage. Deuce. Advantage. Deuce. Stand By! Break point Djokovic but crafty from Nadal as he outwits Djokovic with a backhand volley full of top spin and menace. Oohs and aahs from the crowd as the pair slice and spin it from the baseline. Who will wilt first? Djokovic. A backhand into the tape. The Serb looks towards his camp for answers. Don't make eye contact, Boris. Don't make eye contact.

Too much graphite from Nadal and his forehand sails into orbit, and the ball is probably heading into space as I type. The Spaniard keen to keep energy-sapping rallies at a minimum and Djokovic holds with a super-duper ace to the wings.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AP

"When Djokovic looks exhausted, you cannot underestimate what he can come up with because he's done it before."

Alex Crook:, external Such a physical game being dominated by mentality at the moment.

Default Girl:, external These guys may as well be on a see-saw. When one is up, the other is down and on it goes.

Talk of Djokovic's demise were perhaps greatly exaggerated. The Serb, grunting on the baseline, sets himself up to unleash a brutal forehand into the corner for a 15-30 lead.

From 30-30 to deuce we go and both players seem fatigued. Nadal ambling around the court at mobility-scooter pace, his engine coughing and spluttering, and Djokovic turns the screw, forcing Nadal to club a forehand wide. Break point Djokovic.

But it's an act of escapology from the defending champion that Houdini would be proud of and the Spaniard remains in the driving seat.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AP

"We'll watch Novak Djokovic very closely over the coming games to see if he has the physical response to counter what Rafael Nadal is throwing at him."

Nadal has jumped out of his phone box, whipped off his glasses and is flying in this set. At the other side of the net is Djokovic, whose fuel gauge is dangerously low and he nets with a tired-looking forehand to present Nadal with the first point.

The Serb might not be firing on all cylinders, but at least his radar is working and a puff of dust from the tramlines indicates he's found the line with a thumping forehand and he concludes a hold to 15 thanks to an ace out to the wings. A strange end to a game which promised much drama.

Laura Lambert:, external Could there be a better spectacle in sport than two legends of the game battling it out in bright sunshine in this bear pit? Epic.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think Novak is struggling to get air. Suddenly this match has a very different complexion to it. He looks like he has had the stuffing knocked out of him. The way he is walking around he almost looks depressed."

Ruthless from Nadal as he quickly collects three points and he helps create a party atmosphere thanks to an ace down the 'T' for a hold to love. The scores on the board says Nadal is cruising.

Image source, AP

Martin Daniels:, external Not at the level we might expect yet but nicely poised at 1 set all, only see one winner now though, Rafa.

Stephanie Siu:, external Calm down dear (Nadal). That much fist-pumping after winning a set. This means everything even after 8 wins.

Amy Thain:, external Yes Rafa! I've grown my nails nice and long for next weekend's wedding, can't be biting them now!! Living up to the hype.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live

"It was so extraordinary the way the match swung in such a short space of time, because Djokovic was in control and being so aggressive. But there's a lot more left to come and more gears they can both go to."

Supernaturally good tennis from both players. Admirable athleticism from Nadal, who stretches every sinew to reach a volley at the net but the rubber-legged Djokovic responds by simply placing his volley out of the Spaniard's reach. Nadal offers an admiring glance in his opponent's direction.

At 30-30 Djokovic targets the Nadal backhand but the Spaniard holds firm before ending a 22-shot slug-fest with a scary overhead. Break point Nadal and Djokovic surrenders with a whimper, slapping a shoulder-high backhand volley into the tape.

Image source, Getty Images

What a finale to the second set, enough to force the coolest of cucumbers out of their seats. Nadal's mum - Ana Maria Parera (left) and girlfriend Xisca Perello (right)- certainly appreciated the Spaniard's jaw-droppingly good performance.

At 30-30 the saucer-eyed Djokovic has a sniff but he screws his forehand into the tramlines and the Serb now has the look of a man who has been told his stamp collection is worthless. Another effort goes wide from Djokovic's faulty racquet and Nadal is on the scoreboard.

Bambi:, external What I'm most pleased about is the fact that FINALLY someone is giving Nadal a run for his money on clay.