Image source, Getty Images

But in the end, there can be only one left smiling.

Rafa Nadal... when will you stop amazing us? We're here until it ends as it's history time and again.

His tournament, his court and, maybe, his year once again.

Who can take him out?

Keep following our live pages each day to find out. We're back tomorrow and there's plenty on our tennis page until then.

Thanks for all the tweets tonight and if you tuned in to the radio or read along, it's been a pleasure having you.

Sleep well my friends. Clean the clay off your socks tomorrow, get that energy gel down early and come back for more.

Vamos.

Before we wrap up... a nod to both of them.

That is entertainment. Two people at the absolute top of a profession.

Shot after shot was just sent down in the most ruthless, aggressive manner. They stand there and find solutions. All the while we can't take our eyes of it.

Magnificent.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal demonstrated once again why he is the greatest player in French Open history by beating long-time rival Novak Djokovic in a late-night thriller to reach the men's singles semi-finals.

Nadal, going for a 14th title, started superbly and fought off resistance from defending champion Djokovic to win 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) at Roland Garros.

Nadal secured victory at 1:16am local time after over four hours on court.

The 21-time Grand Slam winner now faces third seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.

Read all of Jonathan's report right here.

So the top half of the draw reads Nadal v Zverev in the semi-final.

The bottom half of the draw is at the quarter-final stage.

It's Norway's Casper Ruud against Denmark's Holger Rune.

And Andrey Rublev of Russia is taking on Marin Cilic of Croatia.

So, can Alexander Zverev take the king out in the semi-finals?

Good luck with that.

That was the first time in the open era that a men's tennis match featured:

• Two players with at least 20 Grand Slam titles
• Two players with at least 1,000 match wins
• Two players with at least 300 Grand Slam wins

And do you know what? It delivered.

Laura Robson
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

I have to say, it wasn't the warmest handshake between the two of them.

There was a bit of drama thrown in here and there during the match when they were giving each other stares, and there were a few times when Rafa maybe delayed the play, even on one of the match points.

So potentially a cold handshake but I'd need to see the replay.

Image source, Getty Images

Rafael Nadal, speaking on court after his victory, said: "Novak is one of the best players in history without doubt so playing against him is always an amazing challenge.

"All the history we have together. Today was another one and to win against Novak there is only one way, to play at your best. Tonight is one of these magic nights for me so I am super happy.

"There is no other place like this one for me. This is the most important court of my career. I feel the love of everyone in Paris, it means everything to me."

Nadal is urged to say he will come back to Roland Garros for many years, but carefully responds: "See you in two days, that's the only thing I can say. Thank you."

Image source, Getty Images

That's 110 wins and three defeats on the Roland Garros clay.

No wonder John McEnroe was saying beating Nadal there is the "toughest job in the history of the sport".

Brian Wacker of the New York Post...

Stuart Fraser of The Times...

Stephen Fenn: What more can we keep saying about Rafa? Extraordinary career and just a pure street fighter on that court, and at his age still. Unbelievable display.

Tim Gumbleton: Absolutely brilliant from Rafa. What a fighter. Djokovic got clobbered in a couple of those sets. Also just a sidenote, the quality of commentary from the 5 Live team has been amazing (also love Laura Robson too).

Sulaimon Adelekan: Like I said earlier, at the Roland Garros Nadal always wins.

You did indeed Sulaimon, you did indeed.

Some of your tweets coming in are cracking...

Points where the rally was 0-4 shots:

Nadal won 68, Djokovic 60.

Points where the rally was 5-8 shots:

Nadal won 44, Djokovic 41.

Points of nine shots or more:

Nadal won 36, Djokovic 29.

Nothing in it really. Just a refusal from the bull on all fronts to go under.

Image source, Getty Images

Points: Nadal 148 - Djokovic 130

Not a lot in it. We'll be hearing from the winner in a moment.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can see from his celebrations that it was a special win for Nadal and it meant so much to him. An extraordinary contest but you have to admire the tactics from Nadal. I've never seen such aggression from him.

Image source, Reuters

Djokovic is off court in seconds. Four hours and 12 minutes of work. He's packed up and down the tunnel in the time it takes to boil a kettle.

Speaking of which...

David Law
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

Even Nadal looks like he can't believe it. His head is in his hands. Not even Djokovic could stop him.

The final point is a 19-shot rally.

It includes a Rafa Nadal shot that glances the top of the net.

But when his chance came he sent one down that was wrapped in aggression. It's a backhand to bring up the finish and a smile that could sell toothpaste breaks out on his face.

I mean, what do you say?

Animal, genius, icon.

Image source, Getty Images