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 21:22 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Djokovic 2-6 0-3 Nadal*

    Laura Robson
    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nadal is playing on his own terms. You usually expect your opponent to have a dip but it just hasn't happened. Djokovic is being pummelled from the back of the court, which you never see.

  2. 'Rolling back the years'published at 21:20 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-3 Nadal

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Rafael Nadal is rolling back the years here. It's absolutely stunning.

  3. Massive break...published at 21:20 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Djokovic 2-6 0-3 Nadal*

    Honestly, Novak Djokovic has the temerity to play a fine drop shot as he tries to save break point. Nadal can barely get there... but he does... and he flips the ball beyond his man.

    Like Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump.... this performance is flawless.

  4. Postpublished at 21:18 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-2 Nadal

    Unforced errors here from Novak Djokovic. Is the iceman feeling it. He's found the net twice with shots he normally devours.

    He is break point down. This is a key moment...

  5. Postpublished at 21:15 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-2 Nadal

    David Law says "absurd", John McEnroe says it's an "A+".

    Nadal holds serve to love.

    That court is his dancefloor and he's the DJ.

  6. Postpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Djokovic 2-6 0-1 Nadal*

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    This is ABSURD tennis from Rafael Nadal.

    NadalImage source, Reuters
  7. Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa."

    That's the Roland Garros crowd between games.

    And it's not for Benitez either.

  8. Postpublished at 21:11 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    I know they say sport can inspire you. But this almost makes me never want to lift a racquet again. I am so, so, so bad. How dare I share a sport with these two freaks.

  9. 'Runaway train'published at 21:11 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Djokovic 2-6 0-1 Nadal*

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Djokovic is playing quite well as far as I'm concerned, but Nadal is a runaway train.

  10. The break of breaks!published at 21:10 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Djokovic 2-6 0-1 Nadal*

    That roar that just rattled your windows.... Nadal smashing his seventh break point home.

    Blame the lads and lasses at Roland Garros for waking the kids. That said you need to get them up for this anyway. They've done you a favour.

    NadalImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Djokovic is screaming. He seems to have forgotten how to blink. Eyes wider than the Seine.

    That's the look of a man who has just saved a sixth break point.

    He's here to fight. And don't you forget it.

  12. Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Annabel Croft
    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nadal is literally painting the lines. Djokovic cannot believe this.

  13. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    What must this feel like. You're being thrust around the court by the king of clay... he's hitting corners almost blindfolded. Then as you're lunging for a ball and finding your feet on the baseline he's just floating a drop shot over the net. The power of a strong man and the touch of an surgeon.

    Nadal has now earned six break points.

    We go on.

  14. Postpublished at 21:05 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Djokovic saves break point four. The lad has a granite chin.

  15. 'Nadal could not play any better than this'published at 21:04 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Annabel Croft
    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Djokovic is constantly trying to play catch-up. I'm almost having to hold my breath when he's hitting the ball because he's having to work so hard. I think he's very uncomfortable. Nadal could not play any better than this.

  16. What a game...published at 21:03 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Nadal - who broke in game one of set one - forces a break point in the opener of set two. It's saved by Djokovic.

    But again, the length Nadal is finding is exemplary and Djokovic is pinned in a corner, wishing he was anywhere else. He can only fire into the next. Another beak point.

    Again it's saved. But AGAIN... Nadal pumps the ball around the court as if its offended him and with Djokovic stricken Rafa is at the net to slice a volley home.

    Break point three...saved. Djokovic finding angles and power when he has no right. This is absurd. Honestly, wake the kids up and throw it on.

    Deuce.

    DjokovicImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    David Law
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There's an intent about everything Nadal is doing.

    NadalImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 20:59 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Roland Garros

    Cold? Pah! Nadal peels off a sweat-soaked shirt at the changeover and let's the cool French breeze dry off those guns.

  19. 'Perfect set from Nadal'published at 20:59 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    *Djokovic 2-6 0-0 Nadal

    Laura Robson
    Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That was a perfect set from Nadal. Djokovic, from 1-4, looked like he knew he wasn't going to win that one.

    I'm waiting for Djokovic to let loose. It doesn't feel like he's that emotional yet.

  20. Tune in now...published at 20:57 British Summer Time 31 May 2022

    You can all listen by hitting play at the top of this page. I know your partner may want a peaceful night doing a jigsaw but, at the end of the day, this is more important.

    That play icon is your friend.

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