How Andy Murray beat David Ferrer

1. Andy Murray beats David Ferrer 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 5-7 6-1
2. Novak Djokovic thrashes Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 6-1
3. Murray and Djokovic meet in semis on Friday
4. Serena Williams through to women's last four

AP

So Rafa Nadal is waving goodbye to Roland Garros for another year - and this time he is not taking the men's singles' trophy with him. Either Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stan Wawrinka or Britain's very own Andy Murray will be leaving the French capital with the Coupe des Mousquetaires tucked under his arm.

On Friday we will find out which two men will be contesting the final. But, before all that, make sure you join us tomorrow when we will discover which two women will advance from the semi-finals. Au revoir!

Recap on Wednesday's action

What do you mean you've missed all of today's fun?! Tsk. If you've just left the office or finally having a breather after running around after the kids, here's a recap of today's talking points from Roland Garros....

Thursday's order of play

Men's doubles semi-final (12:00 BST):

1 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6

Women's singles semi-final (not before 15:00 BST):

7 Ana Ivanovic (SRB) v Lucie Safarova (CZE) 13

1 Serena Williams (USA) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 23

Mixed doubles final:

Lucie Hradecka (CZE)/Marcin Matkowski (POL) v Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Mike Bryan (USA) 2

Reaction to Djokovic beating Nadal

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent

"It was not a surprise to me. It didn't have the shock when Robin Sodering beat Nadal at the French Open. Nadal was facing a guy who has been unbelievably dominant. It was a terrific performance from Djokovic throughout. I don't think Nadal played badly, but he is not good enough to challenge the likes of Djokovic on clay. This year he is just not up to the mark."

Stats of the day

• Novak Djokovic beat Rafa Nadal for the first time at Roland Garros after six previous attempts
• Djokovic is two wins away from becoming the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam
• Andy Murray earned his first win on clay against David Ferrer following four defeats
• Murray is the first Briton - man or woman - to reach three semi-finals at Roland Garros

Murray reaction

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"This is what Andy was hoping to achieve - a semi-final. Obviously he'd like to do better but he has got the minimum he wanted to do here. He's having a great clay court season.

"Of course Djokovic in the semi-final is going to be tough but they have turned out to be very good matches when these two have met. Mentally can he hang with Djokovic? I think the time is right for him to do that, but we'll soon see."

Semi-final order of play?

Interesting dilemma for the Roland Garros organisers. Djokovic v Murray - first against third seed - to close on Court Philippe Chatrier? Or home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is bidding to become the first Frenchman to contest a men's singles' title at Roland Garros since 1988? Tough one.

Semi-final draw

1 Djokovic (SER) v Murray (GBR) 3

14 Tsonga (FRA) v Wawrinka (SWI) 8

Murray reaction

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Winning quarter-finalist Andy Murray talking on Court Suzanne Lenglen: "I knew it was going to be an extremely tough match. The third set was tough to lose having match point. It's difficult to play another set when you have just lost match point.

"It's going to be an extremely tough match against Novak in the semi-final. I hope I can play high quality tennis. Obviously Novak has played very well today to win in straight sets against Rafa."

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Joseph Burns: Murray's blown Ferrer away here, he's found that extra gear again he had in 2012/13. Semi-final against Djokovic could be a classic.

Ed Startup: Brilliant to watch the improvement in Andy Murray's mental fortitude. He'll still lose matches, but he won't self-destruct.

Murray into semi-finals

Three hours and 18 minutes is how long Andy Murray needed to overcome the plucky David Ferrer. That's an hour longer than it took his semi-final opponent Novak Djokovic to see off Rafa Nadal in his last-eight tie.

The last-four clash between Murray and Djokovic - the only two men not to be beaten on clay in 2015 - takes place on Friday. Tasty...

Game, set and match - Murray

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All over! Andy Murray advances to the French Open semi-finals.

And the British number one completes a job well done with another hold to love. Ferrer shakes his head as a forehand return hits the tape for 40-0 - he knows the end is nigh. That's three match points for Murray, who spanks down an arcing serve which Ferrer sticks his bat on but can't guide the ball inside the court.

Murray winces as he sees a 30-15 advantage evaporate following a long return which fails to hit the white chalk. Oh dear, then it is Ferrer's turn to look away in disgust. Guess what he's done? Only committed another cardinal sin in the shape of a double fault. That is 11 (eleven) for the match. But the Spaniard, one of the current game's great battlers, saves another match point as Murray gets a little rough with a forehand return. Ferrer completes another escape but the great escape - avoiding defeat and making the last four - looks slim. Murray serving for the match...

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

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"Murray has regrouped since losing the last set and has played the better of the two players throughout most of the match. If this match had gone to a fifth set then it could have been a different story."

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Michael Churm: Two consecutive cross-court two-handed backhands on the run from Andy Murray, as good as any I've ever seen.

Darren C: I think it's quite clear that Andy Murray has stepped up in class from last year. His clay-court game is on a par with grass.

Almost time for David Ferrer to pack up his suitcase and head to Charles De Gaulle airport to catch a flight back over the Pyrenees. Murray smells blood and is moving in for the kill. A routine service game means the Briton is just one more away from the French Open semi-final....

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Josh Berry: Murray playing like a man on a mission now. He doesn't want to be out there a second longer than he needs to!

Toby Foot: The angles Murray is finding at the moment are just unreal.

Double break for Murray

Another one of those must-win service games for David Ferrer. Not the first I might add. A poorly-executed drop shot from the Spaniard is pounced on by the Briton for 15-15, before the energetic 33-year-old outlasts his opponent in a long rally to take the next point.

But Ferrer slaps a forehand return wide for 30-30, Big chance here for Murray. That big chance becomes an enormous chance as an aggressive Murray pulls out a stunning backhand winner.

The break point goes begging as Ferrer scrambles, only for the Spaniard to miscue another return. This time Murray does take full advantage, luring his opponent into a scooped return from behind the baseline - then smashing in the winner for the double break.

AP

The clock ticks over the three-hour mark - but Andy Murray isn't planning to stay out there much longer. The Briton screams his trademark "come onnnnnnnn" as a Ferrer return goes long for 40-30, then hammers down his ninth ace of the match to return to his seat with a 3-0 fourth-set advantage. Handy.

Murray breaks

Wow! Sensational stuff from the British number one who uses his speed to dig out a stunning backhand winner from the baseline and claim the first break of the fourth set.

Murray takes a 30-0 lead as he pushes Ferrer into a pair of forehand unforced errors then shrugs his shoulders as the Spaniard somehow returns a near-perfect lob from behind him.

Ferrer double faults though - again - to give Murray two break points and the two-time Slam winner needs just one opportunity.

Better from Andy Murray. The Briton returns to the Suzanne Lenglen clay with a spring in his step, starting aggressively as he keeps Ferrer pinned to the baseline. He needs an early morale-boosting hold - and that is exactly what he gets.

Reaction

Robin Soderling, the only other man to beat Nadal in the French Open, on Twitter: Unbelievable level from Novak. Big congrats! And what an amazing fighting spirit by Rafa, as always...such a role model for all youngsters.

Reaction

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No excuses from Rafael Nadal after his comprehensive defeat to Novak Djokovic.

"He was better than me," says the Spaniard after his first Roland Garros defeat since 2009. "That's it. It's very simple. When one opponent is playing better than you and is in better shape than you, that can happen.

"I'm not happy about my first set, obviously. I am happy about my second set. I'm not happy about the third set but I tried."

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"Andy Murray was in a fantastic position to win in straight sets. But a quality player like David Ferrer, you'd expect him to get one set or two. Murray has lost a set but he has got to get back out there and get into it."

Game and third set - Ferrer

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Ferrer deservedly takes this match to a fourth set with a hold to love. The Spaniard, spurred on by the French crowd, screams in undulated pleasure as he keeps his hopes of another Roland Garros semi-final alive.

AP

So that break in the last game means David Ferrer takes a couple of balls knowing that he is serving for the third set. The French crowd are loving his revival - they're even busting out the Mexican wave at the change of ends....

Ferrer breaks

Murray, brow perspirating in the evening Paris sunshine, loses his way as tiredness appears to kick in. One of my colleagues has just suggested perhaps Murray has just realised he will play his nemesis Novak Djokovic in the last four. He was kidding. I think. But then Murray double faults to hand Ferrer a break point - which he devours like a hungry wolf.

Ferrer saves match point

Is this the moment? Andy Murray is one point away from a semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic as he has advantage - but Ferrer finds another gear to keep this quarter-final alive. Murray, pinned back behind the baseline, spoons the match point wide and then sees Ferrer complete the great escape. On we go...

Ferrer has struggled with his service game in this match - particularly when Murray has piled on the pressure. But he digs out his first serve when it matters here. The Spaniard takes a 30-0 lead before a splendid Murray passing winner claws back a point. The Briton then uses the net to his advantage (luck) to level but Ferrer moves forward to end another long rally with a winner. Two more points are exchanged and that means we go to deuce....

Oh, this is brilliant. Murray spanks a perfect forehand - following a not too shabby forehand from Ferrer - into the corner of the court, then sees out the next three points with an ace and a pair of Ferrer backhand errors.

Three love service games out of the last four. Blip? What blip? Murray is one game away from the French Open semi-finals....

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Can someone call the doctor? David Ferrer has a serious bout of doublefaultitis. The Spaniard fluffs his lines again with his opening serve - that's his ninth double fault of the match - then fails to execute a tempting smash in the next point.

Again Ferrer castigates that pesky clicking cameramen stood behind him. Again it inspires the seventh seed into focus. He wins the next three points and then takes a fourth when Murray's return is a touch too long.

What. A. Hold.

"Come on!" That familiar Murray shriek is heard once again as he stops the rot with a hold-to-love service game. Very important as this set hangs in the balance.

Focus Andy, focus. The Briton bounds towards the net to volley in a winner for 15-15 - something we've not seen a great deal of from Murray. That's only his ninth winner of the match at the net - at a percentage of 56% compared to Ferrer's 81%.

But it is not enough to spur him into another break as Ferrer reasserts control with his serve. That's three successive games for the Spaniard, who hears Rocky Balboa-style chants of "Dav-id, Dav-id" echoing around Court Suzanne Lenglen.

AP

Reaction

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Novak Djokovic describes his quarter-final win over Rafael Nadal as "an incredible day".

"I have great respect for Rafa, he's a true champion and it's always a pleasure to play him," adds the 28-year-old.

"I knew I had to be aggressive and stay concentrated on every point. That's not easy to do against a man who had only lost once here in his career. It's an incredible day, I am very happy and I want to continue like this."

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"Ferrer just needs to stick with Andy. He needs Murray to lose concentration and we know he does that every now and again."

Ferrer breaks back

Lifeline for Ferrer as Murray chokes up three break points! Where this has come from I do not know.

The first is pushed wide by the Spaniard's backhand into the tramlines. Next chance. Can he take this one? Yes he can! Murray tries to guide a vicious return back over the tape but it falls short and hits the mesh.

Court Suzanne Lenglen is rather quiet at the moment. The Paris crowd have been firmly behind Spain's Ferrer from the first toss, but realise that it is the Briton who is coasting towards the last four.

A brief pause as Ferrer leads 40-30 when the Spaniard - not for the first time - complains about people taking photographs behind him. Then, he produces one for the cameras as he hammers down his first ace of the match to cling on to his serve.

Murray is walking down Easy Street now. The third seed produces a first-rate serving game, which includes two booming aces, to rattle off a quick hold to love.

AP

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"Djokovic deserved the win. If you look at the stats, this looks an upset - but it's not really. The world number one has beaten the world number six or seven who has not been in form.

"Djokovic is playing the best tennis of his career. He's been close to beating Nadal before, but he's improved and Rafa's got problems in his game. If you look at the score, it's a good old beating. Novak just does not let up."

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"That's a good set from Murray, he's slightly more relaxed and he put more into his shots and rallies."

EPA

Murray breaks

In the first part of this game, I thought Ferrer may have received some subliminal message that he needed to win for his newly-deposed mate Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard led 40-15 - but then Murray found another gear. The British number one piles the pressure on his opponent, who buckles with four successive forehand errors to draw first blood in the third set...

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"Djokovic is just attacking and attacking. He's so full of confidence this year and he's not missing much. Everyone has their phone camera out, they want to capture this moment."

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"For those of us lucky enough to have been present for most of Nadal's 10 French Open wins, it's quite something to see the great Spaniard given sympathetic applause in the closing stages as he manages to avoid losing a set to love.

"The smart money was always on Djokovic winning, and fairly comfortably, but 45 winners to 16 and winning 62% of the points on Nadal's second serve tells a story of real domination. The truth is, at the moment, the likes of Murray or Wawrinka might pose a tougher challenge than Nadal."

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Here we go then - Andy Murray is one set away from his first clay-court win against David Ferrer. Of course, most importantly, that means he is one set away from his third Roland Garros semi-final.

Murray moves into a 40-15 lead before Ferrer hits back at the same time that a loud roar can be heard from Court Philippe Chatrier. I wonder what's happening there....

Ferrer won't have a clue that his great friend Rafa Nadal is going home - unless he's had a quick peek of the scoreboard. The Spaniard battles back to deuce before third seed Murray shows that extra bit of quality with a pair of forehand winners to hold.

Alistair Bruce-Ball

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"All of the spectators sat in the sunshine realised they were watching something quite historic and dramatic. Nothing went right for Rafa - he just shook his head. Even the bounce was against him."

Game, set and match

The king of clay has lost his crown. Astonishing from Novak Djokovic who sweeps aside Nadal, unbeaten at Roland Garros since 2009, with some breathtaking action. The crowd on Philippe-Chatrier have witnessed something truly spectacular.

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Brilliant by Djokovic. He is making Nadal look an amateur as he moves to within one game of a memorable victory. This is incredible.

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Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"It's a rare thing to see Nadal lose here on centre court. Nadal hasn't been injured this year, he's just had a poor run of form. The basic reason his ground strokes aren't working is because there's so much movement through the racquet on his shots, and that has some risk to it because it's tough to do if your timing isn't right or your confidence isn't right.

"He's not scared of getting on that practice court though. I've never seen anyone work so hard, and I'm sure he'll find a technical solution to fix things."

Reuters

Game and second set - Murray

Great start for Murray, who steps and leaps into the Ferrer serve to power a backhand into the corner. A carbon copy return is hammered back by Ferrer in the next point, only to leave Murray with a simple volley for 30-0.

The Spaniard, who was struggling in a rally, allows himself a wry smile as he bounces back off the ropes to claim the next point. But then Ferrer can only stand and admire as Murray pulls an exquisite dropshot out of the top drawer, the ball delicately dusting the chalk, to set up two set points.

Ferrer builds the first point patiently, drawing Murray into a rally, before moving into the net and closing off the point with a neat volley. However, that is not enough. Murray wraps up the second set with a clinical forehand past his hapless opponent.

Reuters

Huge roar from the crowd as Nadal shows there is still some fight left in him. But surely the Spaniard is only delaying the inevitable.

As easy as a service hold that you are likely to see on Court Suzanne Lenglen today. Ferrer has no response to the Murray serve as the Briton rattles through four winning points to move within a break of the second set.

EPA

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"Nadal has been in a slump for a long time. He's been fighting and fighting but it's been six months and he can't get the right consistency with his forehand. I think he will win his 10th French Open but I don't think it will be this year now."

Nadal is like a wounded animal waiting to be put out of its misery. His only chance now is if Djokovic gets tired. No chance of that.

It is no longer a matter of if Nadal will lose. It's a more a question of when. And at this rate it is going to be over very soon.

Djokovic is in no mood to let this slip. 4-0.

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David Ferrer has a reputation for being one of the most resilient characters on tour - perfectly shown in the early part of this game. The 33-year-old Spaniard forgets all about his serving woes of the previous game, racing into a 40-0 lead before Murray makes him sweat by clawing his way back to 40-30. But Ferrer regains composure again to force Murray into an error and hold.

What's happened to Rafa?

A double fault, mis-timed shots...mistakes are peppering Nadal's game.

Belief has seeped from the Spaniard and Djokovic can smell victory. We have not seen Nadal play this bad for a long time. Djokovic cruises into a commanding 3-0 lead after another error-ridden service game by his opponent.

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Murray's coach Amelie Mauresmo and trainer Matt Little look pretty calm in the players' box on Court Suzanne Lenglen - but they must be chuckling inside at how easy that last game was for their man.

Time for Murray to focus though. Hold serve here and the second set is within sight. The Briton does exactly that! And he does it in fine style with a sublime backhand winner which he slashes and back spins away from Ferrer's grasp.

Murray breaks

A multi-millionaire like Andy Murray certainly does not need charity. But he is receiving some generous donations from David Ferrer. The Spaniard begins the fourth game of the second set with a double fault, then does the same again in the next-but one point to gift three break points to Murray.

Ferrer composes himself to save two of those chances, but can't replicate Murray's escape act in the last game. The seventh seed smacks a forehand into the net after another energy-sapping rally as Murray takes control.

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Are we witnessing the end of the king of clay?

Nadal is shell-shocked. Djokovic looks fitter and his adrenalin is pumping like never before.

He is on the verge of a stunning victory.

Oh no - Murray is in the danger zone. Three break points for Ferrer.

One goes begging when Murray slows down his serve before pinging back Ferrer's return with a pinpoint forehand. Two disappear down the drain in the next point as Murray crunches another forehand deep into the left corner. And three are wiped out when Ferrer cannot avoid the net with a backhand return.

That means it is deuce - and Murray uses his get-out-of-jail-free card. A backhand winner follows a unstoppable forehand as Murray sensationally holds.

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This is unknown territory for Nadal - two sets down in a five-set match on clay. The 14-time Grand Slam winner is rattled and Djokovic is going for the kill. The Serb quickly establishes two break points and Nadal is broken after an error. Djokovic has one foot in the semi-final.

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Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"A huge moment for Djokovic as he makes the breakthrough in the second set, his ability to withstand the Nadal forehand and work the point around to his own favoured backhand eventually drawing the error on break point.

"The pair have made 22 unforced errors apiece, but Djokovic has 32 winners to 13, and is dominating behind his very underrated first serve."

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One of my favourite things about the French Open is the lack of technology forcing the umpires to scamper down off their perch when clearing up disputed calls. The man in charge on Court Suzanne Lenglen is forced to point to the ball-marked clay when Murray wrongly challenges a call to fall 30-0 behind.

The serving gremlins bother Ferrer again as two double faults - his fifth and sixth of the match - hauls Murray level. But the Spaniard restores calm with a backhand winner, then sees an agitated Murray release some tension with an annoyed scream after he fails to find the right side of the baseline as Ferrer holds.

Game and second set - Djokovic

This quarter-final might not go the distance we thought it would. Nadal is facing one of the biggest tests of his glittering career to prevent a first defeat at Roland Garros for six years. Djokovic is playing some astonishing stuff and wraps up the second set in brilliant fashion.

Who would have thought it? Nerves from Djokovic as he twice misses the chance to go two sets up.

BBC

But if David Ferrer is going to maintain this proud record then he is going to have to do it the hard way. Only one of these clay-court victories - in Barcelona in 2006 - saw the Spaniard lose the first set.

Anyway...back to today. Murray takes the ball to open up the second set and, after a couple of loose points give Ferrer hope, holds with his fourth ace of the match.

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent

"Today is like FA Cup third-round day where you are zipping around for updates on one game after another."

Huge game for Djokovic. Nadal is fighting to save the second set. A marathon game sees both players produce some excellent shots but Djokovic claims a big advantage. Nadal needs to produce something special.

AFP

Break point for Djokovic.

Game and first set - Murray

Phew! Moments after Andy Murray looks to the heavens when a heavy return ends a long baseline rally in Ferrer's favour, the Briton is left fistpumping when he clinches the first set. Murray steps into the net to volley a Ferrer return into the Paris clay and out into the back wall.

AP

Tie-break

Five set points for Murray become four when his limp backhand crashes into the net. Then four become three with an almost identical point. But he has two serves to see off the plucky Spaniard now...

Tie-break

Solid stuff from Murray. The Briton is one point away from the first set after holding his serve, ending with a blistering serve that Ferrer cannot send back over the tape.

Tie-break

The heat is getting to Ferrer. After holding his first serve, he cannot do the same with the second - then castigates a photograph for taking pictures in his eyeline....

Nadal again fails to claim a point from a Djokovic serve. Attention once again switches to the lack of water on the court. Both players continue to struggle with their footing on the clay. How long before an injury?

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Tie-break

I'm not sure what David Ferrer just said - but its bound to be unrepeatable. After the Spaniard finds the net on Murray's first serve, he somehow spoons a volley wide to put Murray firmly in control...

Tie-break

Tie-break time! Murray, like he did about an hour ago, takes first blood by nicking his opponent's serve...

This is developing into as much a mental battle as a physical contest. There's little to choose between these two in this set. Nadal is at his inconsistent best. One shot into the net followed by a brilliant forehand.

Murray is not hitting the same heights which has done so far on the clay this season. Two unforced errors mean he is two points from a tie-breaker, two points from losing the set.

Another mistake from the Briton means a lip-licking Ferrer is eyeing up a break. Cue a rocket serve from Murray. The number three seed hammers down a 203km serve which Ferrer sticks his strings on but can't return. Deuce.

High quality groundstrokes from both men as they exchange in a long rally before Murray plucks out the ruler to a perfectly measured forehand inside the line.

Five further points are exchanged before Murray has the stamina to outlast his opponent in another lengthy exhchange to take the first set, which ticks past the hour mark, into a tie-break.

Ninety minutes into this match. This is going to be a long one. Djokovic might be raging inside but he is turning it to his advantage. Another service game by the Serb in which Nadal is unable to register a point.

Reuters

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"That was a pretty poor couple of games from Murray and he has got to cut those unforced errors out.

"But give Ferrer credit because he did what he had to do. He's been sneaking through this tournament, he's a great competitor and has incredible fitness, but if you said what's his favourite shot you'd be scratching your head, and so would he probably, but he takes his chances and is so hard to beat on clay."

Djokovic is rattled after his exchange with the umpire. Nadal has also been slipping and sliding but a terrific rally from the Spaniard is the highlight as he claims the fourth game of the second set.

Reuters

The sun is bouncing off David Ferrer's similarly-coloured bright yellow tee, creating beads of sweat on the Spaniard's brow. Murray is feeling the heat too - not least because he has lost his way a little in these past couple of games.

Ferrer finds his groove as a flat-footed Murray lacks the necessary rhythm and responds with error after error. An ace from the seventh seed completes the job. Murray serving to stay in the set....

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"Djokovic is still raging at the lack of court watering on Chatrier. There must be some kind of consideration for the players," he bellows. "They have to respect how the players feel on the court!"

"There is a procedure," replies the umpire.

We've all been there.

Ferrer breaks

Oh dear, oh dear. Ferrer reappears the more invigorated after that brief rest, responding with gusto to every Murray serve. The Briton seems almost surprised with the Spaniard's aggression and, after a flurry of unwanted unforced errors gives three break points to Ferrer, slaps another return into the net.

Djokovic is not hanging about. He claims the third game of the second set in double quick time, a disappointing return by Nadal giving him the advantage once again.

The wind is no more and the sun is blazing down on Philippe-Chatrier. Djokovic asks for a towel but the Serb is far from flustered as he produces an outstanding drop shot to heap the pressure on his opponent. Nadal, however, holds serve.

Murray does not claim another break to take the first set as Ferrer cleans up his act, wipes out the serving yips, to hold. Another hold in the next game and Murray draws first blood. Quick swig of French spring water, a change of ends and then back to business...

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George Hall: The most enthralling set ever to be played at Roland Garros. Precision and power walking hand in hand, from both players' racquets.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"'Every single year I ask after the set, if it's a problem during the set - why don't you water the court? We've played one hour and it's dry!'" Djokovic might have won the set but he's fuming at the umpire.

"He got there in the end, although he might have need counselling at the changeover had he lost the set from 4-0 up. The Serb put so much pressure on the Nadal serve, and the Spaniard's missed smash in that final game might just be karma for the infamous missed overhead from Djokovic in the semi-final two years ago, when victory was within his grasp.

Djokovic starts set two and way he ended the first. The crowd is trying to raise Nadal's spirits. He is on the back foot.

Time for Andy Murray to take control? Yes it is! Another long rally at 30-30 ends in the Briton's favour when Ferrer overcooks a forehand. Murray grasps that opportunity with both hands, spanking an ace down the T to move within a break of the first set. And it is not like a break is a tough task in this game....

Djokovic wins first set

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"That was a very interesting first set. Djokovic came out red hot at the start then he made some pretty simple errors to let Nadal back in. Djokovic was the best player, but Nadal typically works his way into matches, and it'll be interesting to see how he comes out now. Can Djokovic keep taking advantage of those short balls from Nadal?""

Murray breaks back

This is remarkable - another break point comes out to play in this match. That's five of the opening seven games going to the man who does not have the ball in hand.

Ferrer is the architect of his own downfall, serving up double faults as Murray leads 30-0. The Spaniard briefly recovers with a smash winner, only to double fault again. Murray cannot believe his luck - especially when an unforced error hands him a slender advantage.

Game and first set to Djokovic

Grunts from the players, groans from the crowd. Nadal has a great chance to take it to 40-15 but Djokovic holds his nerve.

A crunching forehand by Nadal, a sublime backhand volley from his Serb opponent. Nadal is hanging on as another Djokovic smash puts him in sight of the first set. An error by Nadal, who hammers a volley wide, gives Djokovic first blood.

What has Nadal got up his sleeve? Remember, the Spaniard has not lost at Roland Garros since 2009.

EPA

Ferrer breaks

The Ferrer growl is out! That can be a good sign or a bad sign for the Spaniard - at the moment it is the former.

Murray coasts into a 30-0 advantage after a blink-and-you'll-miss-it ace, but then inexplicably allows Ferrer back into the game. A cute dropshot - when Murray was expecting a full-blooded backhand - tilts the game in his favour before a stretching Murray cannot scoop another cute Ferrer backhand over the net on break point.

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Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"This is an amazing match-up. Most people are expecting Djokovic to win but what a mental battle to have to overcome to beat Nadal on this court. He's only lost once, and to be honest, he was injured that day. Nadal almost has a magic wand on this court."

David Ferrer is nicknamed the Roadrunner - and it is easy to see why. The man sticks his strings on virtually everything. Murray jabs away with his backhand, then switches focus to Ferrer's famed forehand, as the Spaniard fends off a Murray break point to take the game into deuce.

Then Ferrer, the number seven seed, forces Murray into an error and pulls out a backhand winner out of the top drawer to hold his first service game.

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Anyone like to predict how this is going to finish? Me neither. This is every bit as enthralling as the experts predicted. Djokovic wins the 11th game with ease. Here comes Nadal. How will the king of clay respond?

Epic nip and tuck stuff from both Djokovic and Nadal. A stunning backhand volley by Djokovic leaves Nadal battling to save his serve. The Spaniard regains his composure with a brilliant drop shot but a marathon games sees Nadal receive a time warning which is greeted with jeers from the Philippe-Chatrier crowd. The Spaniard, however, responds by taking the game. This is everything and more the pundits thought it would be.

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Lydia: Nadal v Djokovic, Murray v Ferrer ... and here's me at work like an absolute mug. At least I have #bbctennis to keep me up to speed.

Ras Whey: Why are we even in this dilemma? Surely these two quarter-finals shouldn't be at the same time - it's a shame for tennis.

Finally we have a hold! And it goes to Andy Murray.

Advantage to the Briton as Ferrer finds the tape with a slack backhand, but we're all square again when Murray does the same following another lengthy rally.

Murray fist-pumps after a confidence-boosting backhand winner, then watches Ferrer go long to give him the game.

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Right Murray has the ball in his hand. The Briton digs out a gorgeous backhand from the baseline to leave Ferrer eating red Parisian dust, then goes 30-0 ahead as a Ferrer backhand lacks the same quality and flies out at the back of the court. That was a good size 11 shoe length out.

A long rally ends when a Murray return lacks pace and placement, allowing Ferrer to pounce with a clinical backhand which dusts the whitewash. Murray earns game point at 40-30 when Ferrer offers him a loose forehand into the net, but Murray hands that present straight back in the next point. Deuce....

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Tony Foster: Great quarter-finals? #bbctennis. Brazil v Italy 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. Perhaps one of the greatest football matches ever.

Feldspar: England v Spain quarter-final of Euro '96. Penalty shoot-out and Stuart Peace roaring at the crowd. Surely a classic QF for #bbctennis.

Murray breaks

Any danger of someone holding serve? Murray can scarcely believe his luck as he returns to his seat with another break in his hand. David Ferrer winces as a double fault at 40-30 hands the third game to Murray. A gift with bows on it.

AP

What a response from Djokovic. He roars back by claiming the ninth game, with Nadal failing to register a point. It's like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out. Both are showing bruises but both are still standing.

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Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"It's been a gripping 38 minutes on Chatrier, although not in the way anyone could have predicted. Djokovic looked like the unplayable line-scraping machine who has dominated the tennis world this year for 21 minutes, not allowing Nadal a game.

"But the Serb began to falter, with seven errors in three games, and Nadal, urging himself to "Vamos!", is back on level terms. The temperature is now nudging 21C and a lot of hard work lies ahead for both men."

Ferrer breaks back

Can Murray build on that wonderful start by holding his first service game? Nope. Think our man Kheredine Idessane has put the mockers on him....

Ferrer spanks back two tasty returns which Murray cannot salvage, before the Briton goes long past the baseline as the Spaniard instantly hits back.

AFP/GETTY

Kheredine Idessane

BBC Scotland at Roland Garros

"Wow. Not sure I've ever seen Andy Murray start a match better. Aggressive first few points to break Ferrer straight away."

Got plans this afternoon? Cancel them. This is going to be a marathon. Nadal is bossing this game now. Two delicious aces and he brings it level having trailed 4-1. Djokovic is staring at the floor.

AFP/GETTY

Murray breaks

Murray makes an assertive start, winning the first three points off Ferrer's serve, the third with a blistering cross-court forehand that leaves the Spaniard looking on in admiration, or was it despair?

Murray goes long on the first break point and then Ferrer smacks the ball into the net and Murray has the break. What a confident start.

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Nadal breaks back - again

Oooh, what do we have here? Another break opportunity, that's what.

Djokovic loses his way as three unforced errors gift two break points to Nadal. But the Spaniard is unable to take either as the world number one battles back to deuce. Another break point goes begging, before Djokovic - to the disbelief of the Chatrier crowd - plants a volley flush into the net from close range.

Wow. Chance for Nadal to level on his serve....

Pat Cash

1987 Wimbledon champion

"You know against David Ferrer you're going to be in for a long day, even if it's a straight-sets win. He gets to so many balls. The way to beat Ferrer is to manoeuvre him and overpower him. He doesn't win a lot of points from his serve or his backhand, although he's improved that. He runs a lot, hits a lot of forehands and tries to frustrate you.

"That is the difference with Murray now - he's happy on the clay and understands that it can be a grind, and if that's the case, so be it. Ferrer is not going to hit a lot of winners. Murray knows that if he gets to the Ferrer backhand then he can stay in the rally. It's nice to know that somewhere along the line you can hit the ball into that slightly weaker spot and get back into the point."

Eyes on which court?

Twitter

Don't worry Andy - we're watching you....

May I have your attention please? Will the real Rafael Nadal please stand up?!

We might not have a problem here after all - Nadal is back in town. The Spaniard finally rediscovers his service game to hold for the first time this afternoon, moving within two games of his opponent with a stinging forehand winner.

AFP/GETTY

Murray 'understands clay better'

Reuters

Andy Murray says he is "very, very proud" to have reached a 17th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final, but knows he faces a considerable task to reach his third semi-final at Roland Garros.

The Scot leads Ferrer 9-6 in previous matches and has won four of the last five, but the Spaniard has prevailed in all four meetings on clay, the last of which came in the French Open quarter-finals three years ago.

"I'm sure both of us will have changed and probably improved since that time," says Murray.

"I feel like I have a better understanding of how I need to play on this surface than I did back then."

Meanwhile, down the road on Court Suzanne Lenglen, Andy Murray and David Ferrer are told it is time to stroll out of the locker room....

Nadal breaks back

Exactly what the Nadal family doctor prescribed - a break for young Rafael. The Spaniard finally gets his side of the scoreboard moving by forcing Djokovic into a trio of unforced errors, with a beautiful backhand winner and couple of errors of his own sandwiched inbetween, to claw a game back.

AP

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Joseph Murphy: Brazil vs France 1986 World Cup. Zico missed a penalty.

Joseph Foster: Take a pick from one tournament USA 94 quarter-finals: Bulgaria v Germany or Holland v Brazil. One of the best diving headers and biggest shocks.

Semi-final draw

1 Williams (US) v Bacsinszky (SUI) 23

7 Ivanovic (SER) v Safarova (CZE) 13

Serena Williams into last four

AP

Is anyone going to stop Serena's Williams' seemingly-inevitable march to the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen? Not Sara Errani.

Williams, bidding for a third Roland Garros women's singles title, powers past the Italian 17th seed in 66 minutes to win 6-1 6-3.

And in today's other quarter-final, Timea Bacsinszky has just won 6-4 7-5 against Alison Van Uytvanck.

And that means Andy Murray v David Ferrer is almost upon us....

Double break for Djokovic

Nightmare. Nadal is sweating like a pale British tourist on Magaluf beach - and it is nothing to do with the Paris sunshine. It is solely down to the pressure being piled on by Djokovic.

The Serb cruises to three more break points and, after one goes begging, steals another break following an epic point. Djokovic goes for the lob, Nadal scampers backs, returns with interest, then meekly slams into the tape as the Serb roars with sheer delight.

This is a mis-match at the moment...

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"The Nadal forehand has been the bedrock of 10 years' (nearly) unbeaten success at Roland Garros, but it has been misfiring on the clay this year.

"The Spaniard could not find any rhythm on that side when he lost to Murray in Madrid last month and it's looking similarly out of kilter so far today. It might have something to do with the fact that his strength goes straight into Djokvoic's backhand, probably the best shot in tennis."

Reuters

When Djokovic was asleep last night, he would have only dreamt of breaking so early against his old foe Nadal. But this is no dream.

It is surely only a matter of time before Nadal wakes up from this early nightmare - however it isn't in game three. The Spaniard cannot pick holes in Djokovic's serve and goes three behind in three....

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Tom Wilkinson: What about the quarter-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup? Rob Andrew's drop-goal....

Peter Franklin: O'Sullivan v Ebdon in the 2005 World Snooker Championship... five-minute break of 12 from Ebbo, towel on head from Ronnie...

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

While Djokovic is the fancied favourite, few would have predicted such a comfortable start to the first set for the Serb. Using the 'Live Coverage' tab on this page, tune in to 5 live sports extra to hear if an out-of-sorts Nadal can hit back quickly. But don't you dare stop reading these words. Please.

Djokovic breaks

Wow - that Djokovic start has got even better!

Rafael Nadal wipes his brow with a sky blue wristband as he prepares to face two break points to the Serb. But his meek forehand return drops inside the service line and Djokovic gobbles up the chance with a forehand winner - and nabs the break.

Rafa - and the Parisian crowd - look shocked.

AP

Positive start from Djokovic, who holds his opening serve within two minutes.

The Serb world number one spanks a crunching forehand past Rafa for 15-0, before two pieces of outrageous skill put him in command.

A rally ends with a cute drop-shot, which spins off the dusty Paris surface away from the reach of Nadal who can only club into the tape. And then Djokovic pulls another out of the bag to leave Nadal floundering again at 40-0.

Chuck in a thumping ace and it is as good a start as Djokovic could have hoped for.

AP

Djokovic has the honour of serving first. Here we go....

Birthday boy Nadal, decked out in a light blue outfit, looks relaxed as he knocks up with his great rival. And that shade of ice-cool blue is obviously team colours - Uncle Toni is wearing the same in the Chatrier players' box.

While most of us nip down to the pub or go for a romantic meal to mark our 29th birthday, Nadal faces a knockout match against his old foe Djokovic.

Will he be celebrating later or drowning his sorrows? We're about two minutes away from beginning to find out...

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Tale of the tape

BBC

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent

"Rafa Nadal against Novak Djokovic must be the most eagerly anticipated Grand Slam quarter-final in history. Nadal has 70 French Open wins to fall back on, and Djokovic an unbeaten run at Grand Slam or Masters level which stretches all the way back to October."

The lowdown

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are stood in the full glare of Court Philippe Chatrier as they contest the toss ahead of this mahoosive match. What's all the fuss about? This....

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The world number one up against the nine-time champion.

A man unbeaten in 26 matches anywhere against another with one defeat in 10 years on Parisian clay.

One man trying to complete the career Grand Slam and the other going for a record 10th title - La Decima - at Roland Garros.

The heat is on?

And that weather report from our t-shirt and short-wearing man in Paris could spell bad news for Novak Djokovic.

"The hotter it is, the better it is for me." Nadal was not playing any mind games when asked about the importance of conditions for Wednesday's match. A hot, sunny day gives the Spaniard's famous forehand even more zip, spin and bounce.

Djokovic, on the other hand, has endured some of his rare vulnerable moments in stifling conditions, most recently when he lost to Kei Nishikori in last year's US Open semi-finals.

Piers Newbery

BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"The forecast suggested it would be warm, dry and overcast, and the first two at least are correct. However, the sun is shining and that could play a big part this afternoon, as everyone - including Nadal - says that the Spaniard's huge forehand has even more zip on a cloudless day.

"Djokovic has suffered at the hands of Nadal six times here, usually toiling away in the hot sun, covered in brick-red dust. He is hoping to leave a very different lasting image today, possibly one of the defining moments of his career."

Get involved

If you can think of any great quarter-finals - in any sport - then let us know. The best one gets a job at the BBC Sport website* because you've out-thought us in the office.

And the stage is also ready and waiting for you to tell the world how you feel today's action will pan out. Whatever you want to get off your chest - tennis related of course - then this is the place to do it. Tweet using #bbctennis or text 81111. Go, go, go!

* This is not true

BBC

Since the Roland Garros draw was made last month, the whole tennis world has been eagerly anticipating the potential meeting between Nadal and Djokovic on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Now the day has arrived - but it is sharing the limelight. Our time will be divided between Chatrier and Court Suzanne Lenglen where, of course, Britain's Andy Murray slugs it out with clay-court nemesis David Ferrer.

Murray will reach his third French Open semi-final by beating the Spaniard. And the prize? A last-four match against either Nadal or Djokovic on Friday.

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Standout. Special. The greatest ever.

These are just three of the terms used to describe today's mouthwatering French Open quarter-final between Rafa 'King of Clay' Nadal and Novak 'Undisputed World Number One' Djokovic at Roland Garros.

Sport is well accustomed to liberal use of the hyperbole, but this is one of those days where expectations might be matched.

Many 'great' quarter-finals have taken place over the years across a variety of sports. There was the, erm, West Germany v England thriller at the 1970 football World Cup.

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And that, ah...let me think.... Oh, that classic between the Williams sisters at the 2008 US Open. That was a quarter-final, wasn't it?

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Any more? As one of my colleagues rightly pointed out earlier - no one remembers great quarter-final matches. Finals - yes. Semi-finals - yes. Quarter-finals - no.

But that might well change today....