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

  1. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-2 Alcaraz*

    Alcaraz has well and truly arrived. A couple of trademark forehands put the teenager in control. He'd have missed at least one of those shots in the first couple of sets.

  2. Zverev holdspublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-2 Alcaraz*

    Incredible point. This is simmering nicely now!

    Zverev keeps Alcaraz bolted to the back of the court, but as soon as one falls short the Spaniard is there. Alcaraz attacks, but Zverev sneaks a backhand down the line on his way to a love hold.

  3. 'Both cracking the ball right now'published at 18:18 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-2 Alcaraz

    Naomi Broady
    British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    These are sort of rallies I was expecting to see from the start of the match - they are both cracking the ball right now.

    Listen: BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentary (UK only)

  4. Alcaraz holdspublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-2 Alcaraz

    No mistakes here. Alcaraz slams the door shut with a drop shot. This is a quality contest now.

  5. Postpublished at 18:15 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-1 Alcaraz*

    Alcaraz thinks he's settled things with a monstrous forehand, but the umpire decides differently. Deuce.

  6. Postpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-1 Alcaraz*

    It's Alcaraz making the big shots now, the Spaniard easing to 40-0 before Zverev sweeps a backhand cross-court to stay in contention.

    A whopping forehand from Zverev deep into the court brings the German to within a point.

  7. Postpublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-1 Alcaraz *

    Naomi Broady
    British player on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    So many of the points Zverev has won have mainly been from the unforced errors of Alcaraz, it's like he doesn't know what to do now Alcaraz is stepping up.

  8. Zverev holdspublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-1 Alcaraz*

    Well saved. Zverev regroups to see out the game to halt Alcaraz's resurgence.

  9. Postpublished at 18:10 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-1 Alcaraz

    Zverev wriggles clear to game point, but goes for the kill and that allows Alcaraz to get his teeth into a second serve. Deuce.

  10. Postpublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-1 Alcaraz

    Stick at it. That's what Zverev will be thinking. He's done very little wrong for three sets.

    But there are a few more errors coming from the German now, while each Alcaraz hit is being sent back with renewed belief. Alcaraz again comes out on top of a duel at the net. 30-30.

  11. Alcaraz holdspublished at 18:06 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-1 Alcaraz

    Alcaraz darts in to push a backhand winner away at the net.

    A big roar. Zverev pulls a backhand wide. The Spaniard moves ahead in the fourth.

  12. Postpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-0 Alcaraz*

    How will Zverev respond to that setback? He'd looked relatively comfortable throughout on serve until that last game got away from him. What a time to let one slip.

    The fourth set begins with the longest rally of the match - and it's Alcaraz who comes out on top.

  13. 'Rumble in the Jungle, tennis style'published at 18:01 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-0 Alcaraz*

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    This is like watching the Rumble in the Jungle, tennis style!

  14. Game and third set - Alcarazpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-0 Alcaraz*

    Wow! Alcaraz takes it.

    The Spanish teenager raises his level at a crucial moment to clinch the third set. There's a different feel around Court Philippe Chatrier now!

    carlos AlcarazImage source, Getty Images
  15. Set points Alcarazpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz

    The beast is waking up. Zverev gets to a drop shot but Alcaraz blasts a forehand past the German.

    Two set points!

  16. Postpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz

    Now then. The belief is there, and it may be growing.

    Once again it's the Alcaraz drop shot that gets the crowd going, for a 15-30 lead.

  17. 'The will is there - can he find his game?'published at 17:57 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Alcaraz holds on and he clenches his fist because he was break point down, but now - this is not over!

    He is geeing himself up and you can only imagine how he is going to roar out of his chair.

    The will is there - can he find his game?

  18. Postpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz

    44 unforced errors so far from Alcaraz. Fixing that is where any hope of a comeback lies.

  19. Alcaraz holdspublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz

    Ace! Alcaraz rises to the occasion, recovering from break point to hold.

  20. Postpublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-4 Alcaraz*

    Expertly handled! Alcaraz calls on his trusty drop shot to get him out of trouble, temporarily at least.