Image source, AFP

Spanish flags weren't being waved quite as vigorously during that first set as they usually are for the King of Clay on Court Philippe Chatrier.

At 30-15, Djokovic points to his temple, as if to tell us he is focused, determined to stay in the zone. A netted forehand followed by a wayward return, though, allows the Spaniard to start the second set with a hold to 30.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

Image source, AFP

"Nadal couldn't miss with his forehand against Murray in the semi-finals, but when the crunch moment came in that set, his best shot went missing. Three attempted winners into the corner failed to hit the target as the Spaniard dropped serve and another two flew high and wide when he had chances to break back."

Tom, Sheffield: "Nadal's one-dimensional, baseline-bashing clay-court approach is soooo 2012. His total absence of a plan B against the most resilient man to have lifted a racquet will surely cost him today!"

The question 'Is this the greatest rivalry in tennis history?' has already got you talking...

Image source, Getty Images

David Osmand:, external Has to be Connors/McEnroe, my first memories of watching tennis!

Sigs Tenenbaüm:, external Can't beat Federer/Nadal. Revived Tennis.

Van Gaal's NoteBook:, external Agassi/Sampras, no question about that!

And if you want to see some classic Connors/McEnroe from the 1982 Wimbledon final, check out the BBC's Wimbledon Archive.

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

"Novak is as tough as nails, he doesn't budge on big points. Novak has beaten Rafa recently in Rome, so we know we can win two sets against him. It looks like he knows what to do, his strategy is working well so Rafa is going to have to think about something different to do."

There's no animal more dangerous in the tennis kingdom than a wounded Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard pounces on a Djokovic volley like a panther, superbly placing a volley beyond the Serb for 0-30. Brilliant footwork once again from Nadal as he sprints towards the tape, his crosscourt volley wide by a fingertip. A puff of the cheeks from Djokovic.

But, hang on, here we go! Djokoivc goes long. Two break point Nadal. The second seed muttering, a buoyed Nadal quickly returns to the blocks. But two wayward forehands from Nadal allow Djokoivc back in the game at deuce and the Serb wriggles free. Djokovic wins the first set after 44 minutes.

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

"Rafa went for it, and he rarely misses. Novak is really pumped now, you do not want to be a set down to Rafa and have to win three sets in a five-setter."

Image source, AFP

What have we here? Nadal in a spot of bother? The spectators certainly think so; a sharp intake of breath as a wild Nadal forehand allows Djokovic to ease to a 0-30 lead.

Nadal fights back, but a net cord favours Djokovic, fortune favouring the brave, and the Serb has two break points. Raucous chanting from fans of both players as they cheer their men on. Oof! Nadal finds the line with a brilliant forehand to nick one point back and then the gremlins play havoc with our TVs and radio...

All I can say is that Nadal saves two break points - but the Serb earns a third by lasering a forehand down the line. And Nadal goes wide! Wide! Wide! Wide! Djokovic breaks!

For the first time in this match Nadal, nostrils flaring, has a sniff on the Djokovic serve as he ekes a 15-30 lead, but the Serb levels and moves to within a point of holding thanks to a wayward Nadal forehand. A hush on Philippe Chatrier as Djokovic prepares to serve, it's as if the match is being watched by 15,500 church mice.

Sloppy from Djokovic. Into the tramlines he goes. Deuce. But he's on the offensive in the next point, forcing Nadal to shuffle from side to side and the Spaniard crumbles like a chocolate flake. The world number one then goes long once more and Djokovic puffs out the cheeks. That was a tough one.

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

On Andy Murray recruiting Amelie Mauresmo as coach: "I think it is amazing, who would have thought Andy Murray would get Amelie Mauresmo as coach? He's used to having his Mum, a woman on the court telling him what to do. They have not rushed, they have probably looked at all their options and I'm sure he's had a good chat with her. It's a big challenge for Amelie.

"She is a great person, she's got great values, a sense of hard work but she has a great sense of humour. She knows what it takes to win Grand Slams, what it takes to get to number one, she will take it very seriously and give her absolute best to help Andy."

Image source, Reuters

It's a cloudless day in Paris and there's probably a whiff of sun cream in the air, too, as Boris Becker is captured slapping on the Factor 50. These conditions, of course, perfect for Nadal's lassoing style.

The serving has so far been impeccable from both players and, once again, Nadal easily holds. Although, there's a moment of magic from Djokovic as the Serb pulls his opponent towards the net with a delicate drop shot and passes him on the follow up. A hold to 30, though.

It seems the majority of fans on Court Phillipe Chatrier are rooting for Nadal and there are murmurs of disbelief as the Spaniard balloons a backhand long. Each is attempting to move the other from side to side and it's Djokovic who comes out on top of this particular baseline slug-fest, moving Nadal to the left before launching a brilliant forehand winner into the corner. Oh la la! Another comfortable hold for the man who wants to topple the King.

Image source, AFP

A tug of the shorts, a scratch of the nose... Nadal going through his habitual twitches and tics. This is the most competitive game yet. The crowd think Djokovic, running across the baseline, has beaten Nadal with a crosscourt backhand return but the second seed missed the target by the slenderest of margins. Djokovic returning well, but he twice fails to negotiate the barrier and Nadal holds to 30.

At 15-15, Djokovic decides to serve and volley and it's a ploy which works well for the Serb. Nadal getting plenty of opportunity on his forehand on the next point as the pair trade blows from the baseline in the first mesmerising rally of the match. Djokovic absorbing brutal blows from Nadal... the crowd wince... then the Spaniard slaps a forehand into the tape, and the spectators groan. A hold to 15. No sign of weakness yet from either player.

Charles, London: "I think Nole will have the measure of Rafa today. He has improved his clay court tennis over the last 2 seasons whereas Nadal is largely unchanged. The King of clay is about to be usurped on the greatest stage."

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Both players in matching aqua blue tops and both have started this match in similar style, too: Serving with distinction and walloping their groundstrokes from the baseline. A hold to love for Nadal and we're still neck-a-neck.

BBC Radio 5 live

Wimbledon and US Open winner Lleyton Hewitt: "It's a big step up for Novak to beat Rafa over five sets here, Rafa really stepped up to beat Murray in the semi, but to win three out of five sets against Rafa in this situation is nearly impossible. Rafa's defence is amazing, he can scramble and turn defence into offence so well."

Image source, AFP

Bjorn Borg, a six-time winner at Roland Garros, shuffles in his seat and puts wayward strands of his silver mane back in their place. And, then, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal stand up and take to their positions, sparking a right old din. Spine-tingling stuff on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Djokovic easily collects the first three points, with his crosscourt backhand coming into play. And it's a hold to 15 for the Serb in what was a nerveless opening.

Only a minute to go before we can say, John Anderson-style:, external "Gladiators ready, spectators ready..."

By the way, Djokovic hasn't a bad record in Roland Garros, but the same old thing keeps getting in his way and that, of course, is Rafael Nadal.

Should the Serb finally see off the Spaniard he will become the eighth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam. Who were the previous seven? Andre Agassi, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Roger Federer, Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal and Fred Perry.

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

"This is the dream final, two amazing players, and I find it amazing that Rafa has only lost one time here. He will be very difficult to beat for sure, but Novak won the last time on clay, in Rome, and he knows what to do. But it's a whole different story when you get on this court. There's plenty of space to run around the back. I think this could be an epic five-setter."