French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal in action - scores, commentary & updates

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

Live Reporting

Luke Reddy

'I hope I can win it before Alcaraz starts beating us all'published at 19:14 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) Alcaraz
Here's what Alexander Zverev had to say after booking his spot in the semi-finals:
"I had to play my best tennis. [Alcaraz] kept on coming back and he's an incredible player and he will win it many times.
"I hope I can win it before he starts coming back and beating us all.
"When it is shady and slower it is not perfect for me, I didn't get broken when it was sunny and the match was turning his way.
"I didn't have to play a five set match, or be disappointed in losing a five-set match as I did last year."
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) Alcaraz
I'm not sure Alexander Zverev's first, and admirably honest, answer to how he felt as Carlos Alcaraz threatened to turn that around is going to make the cut here.
His first win over a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam to reach successive French Open semi-finals. It'll be Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic next for a spot in the final.
Image source, Getty Images
'One of his best shots of the night'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) Alcaraz
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentator
Zverev has found one of his best shots of the night - and he roars to his box.
He held his nerve and he roars into the semi-finals here.
Postpublished at 19:08 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) Alcaraz
Blimey. Everyone OK?
That was excellent. A huge victory for Alexander Zverev. We'll get his thoughts shortly.
Oh, by the way, Novak Djokovic plays Rafael Nadal next, in case you'd forgotten.
Image source, Getty Images
Game, set and match - Zverevpublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) Alcaraz
What a way to seal it!
Alexander Zverev unleashes a backhand return down the line to clinch a ridiculous tie-break - and the match.
Image source, Getty Images
Tie-breakpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (8-7) Alcaraz*
Alcaraz hangs on in there, but he'll have to defend another match point.
Postpublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (7-6) Alcaraz
Naomi Cavaday
BBC Sport tennis commentator
The crowd are just beside themselves. It was on Alcaraz's racquet then - and he missed!
Tie-breakpublished at 19:02 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (7-6) Alcaraz*
Alcaraz has the court at his mercy but can't hit away from Zverev, who deflects the ball back over.
Match point!
Image source, Getty Images
Tie-breakpublished at 19:02 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (6-6) Alcaraz
Into the net!
I missed 'misses' from my list. Quality. Drama. Badly timed misses. It's a wonderful mix.
Tie-breakpublished at 19:01 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (5-6) Alcaraz*
Alcaraz forces the miss from Zverev. Set point.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (5-5) Alcaraz*
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
This is by far the best quality of tennis we've seen all match.
The crowd are on their feet jumping up and down.
Tie-breakpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (4-5) Alcaraz
Magnificent passing backhand from Zverev, who curves a winner past Alcaraz, but the Spaniard responds to restore his narrow lead. Quality. Drama. It's got a bit of everything this.
Postpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (3-4) Alcaraz*
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
It is so difficult to call because they're both so up and down.
Tie-breakpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (3-4) Alcaraz*
Oh yes! Alcaraz nicks the line with a forehand. And again! The Spaniard turns things in his favour with a couple of stunning winners.
Image source, Getty Images
Tie-breakpublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (3-2) Alcaraz
A big miss at the net from Alcaraz denies him the chance to edge ahead for the first time in this tie-break. It's tense!
Tie-breakpublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (2-1) Alcaraz*
Zverev makes the most of his first serve, but Alcaraz pummels a forehand to the back of the court to stay in touch.
Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (1-0) Alcaraz
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
I would almost just coach Zverev to hit two first serves!
Tie-breakpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (1-0) Alcaraz
A cracking backhand from Zverev puts the German in front.
Image source, Getty Images
Tie-breakpublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 (0-0) Alcaraz*
It was disaster for Zverev in his last service game. He's had two poor games in this match - one to lose the third set and another when serving for the match. Can he get himself back on track?
He can - and some. A love hold, sealed with a smash, takes us to a tie-break!
Alcaraz holdspublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 31 May 2022
*Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-6 Alcaraz
Tremendous stuff. Alexander Zverev is giving little away as the excitement in the crowd continues to grow. Alcaraz is making the big shots now and finishes off the game at the net.