Postpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic 1-2 Nadal*
An ace from Novak Djokovic seals his first win on serve. To love.
That ball came down at 121mph. Laced with fury.
Summary
Rafael Nadal beats defending champion Novak Djokovic in marathon quarter-final
Spanish star wins 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) after thrilling match lasting over four hours
13-time French Open champion clinches victory at 1:16am local time
Earlier Alexander Zverev overcame Carlos Alcaraz to reach semi-finals
American Coco Gauff and Italian Martina Trevisan through to women's last four
Postpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Postpublished at 20:22 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic 0-2 Nadal
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveDjokovic keeps trying that drop-shot tactic, but Nadal has answered it pretty much every time.
Postpublished at 20:21 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic 0-2 Nadal
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveNadal is just thundering the ball into the corners.
Postpublished at 20:21 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic 0-2 Nadal
Serve up the middle has Djokovic at sixes and sevens. Nadal swipes away the regulation ball from close to the net. That's 15-15. An ace for 30-15.
Djokovic rallies but Nadal lands a perfect backhand on the baseline to edge ahead and closes out, flicking a ball over on the bounce near the net.
We have an early leader. My oh my it's coming off his racquet like sweet music.
Postpublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic 0-1 Nadal*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveThat was breathtaking. It's clear that Nadal was out to intimidate from the start of the match.
Image source, ReutersNadal breaks...published at 20:16 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic 0-1 Nadal*
I mean, he literally forced that on his man with some serious will. A break in the opener, which took 10 minutes.
Nadal laying it down with every blow. "You might have won this tournament last year sunshine but you're on the king's court now and the king is very much in town."
Postpublished at 20:14 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
Russell Fuller
Tennis correspondent at Roland GarrosThey're quite good these two, aren't they?
Postpublished at 20:14 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
I mean, Nadal has already forced two break points, he's picking the ball up off the deck like he has velvet gloves on and then thrusting it into places where Djokovic doesn't fancy it.
A third break point is forced...
Postpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveDjokovic is being bamboozled with pace and power, he's being pushed back and having to defend. Really interesting tactics.
Break point Nadal...published at 20:10 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
A Novak backhand flicks the net, it's swiped for a winner by Nadal. We are at deuce in game one.
Djokovic rushes to the net to surely finish the point but Nadal guesses the right way. Like a prime Mark Bosnich in a penalty shootout he's there to repel the blow. He guides it back into the empty court for break point.
'Blockbuster'published at 20:09 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveIf that rally is a taster of what what's in store, we're in for a real blockbuster.
Postpublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
A nice line from John McEnroe on Eurosport.
"The toughest job in the history of this sport is to beat Nadal on this court."
Postpublished at 20:06 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland GarrosHearing the compere run through all of Rafael Nadal's victories here at Roland Garros tingles the skin.
"Deux mille cinq, deux mille six, deux mille sept..."
Intonation rises and rhythm quickens as the deep Parisian voice runs through each year of the 13 wins.
Crescending cheers crash against the announcement of the greatest roll of honour in tennis history.
Early warning...published at 20:06 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Djokovic v Nadal
Already there is widespread applause as a 22-shot rally ends with Djokovic finding the net. That's 15-15 on his serve but more than anything it's a reminder to the masses that we should really have done some training for the viewing marathon we have before us.
Bang out some press ups. Panic train lads and lasses.
It's on...published at 20:05 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic v Nadal
Djokovic, red shirt, white shorts. Serving.
Nadal, green shorts, yellow shirt.
French Open quarter-final.
Take on an energy gel. You have been warned.
Joy for the ears...published at 20:03 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic v Nadal
BBC Radio 5 LiveOur team have fuelled up. They're waiting for you to join them.
Just hit play at the top of this page to listen to live commentary from that famous patch of Paris.
Bed in...published at 20:02 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic v Nadal
Right then. What time are we guessing this one ends?
I'll set the over/under at around 2am.
We might need to bed in folks. Bring a flash light, some rations and a compass.
'Exceptional'published at 20:01 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Djokovic v Nadal
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 LiveThis may go down as the greatest rivalry in the history of tennis.
It's a special match-up between two exceptional athletes who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our sport.
Postpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland Garros
Image source, BBC SportA rip-roaring ovation as Rafael Nadal emerges first from the entrance.
That’s moments after a chant of ‘Rafa, Rafa’ Rafa!’ echoes around Chatrier.
Is it that a few boos for Djokovic? Think it is, you know.
But they are well drowned out by cheers for the defending champion.
Image source, BBC Sportget involved Get Involvedpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Tweet #bbctennis
Stephanie Shrubb: We have to cherish these Big 3 matches. How many more will we see? Also that's the first time I've used "Big 3" despite Murray being out of the top 10 for over 4 years.
Well said Stephanie. We hope you enjoy it.