French Open 2022 Highlights, Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: Nadal knocks out defending champion Djokovic in QF

Djokovic errs on the smash at the end of the 15-shot rally, but errors from Nadal makes it deuce. He looked to take advantage, but then registered his second double fault in the match. The Spaniard set it up beautifully then, came forward for the drop shot, but hit into the net. He is frustrated. And so his Djokovic who is seen mumbling a few words after his forehand return hits the net cord and falls outside the court. A failed drop shot gives Nadal the game. He leads 3-1 now in the third set

He seemed to be a bit off in the first two games, but he is back and he holds serve to make it 1-2 in the third set. 

A comfortable service hold from Nadal and he takes 2-0 lead in the third set. 

Nadal dominated the shorter rallies (+4 and +3) in both the first two sets. However, he was 9-8 in mid-length rallies against Djokovic in the opening set while the Serb led (+3) in the second.

For the third set in a row, Nadal has broken Djokovic's first service game. Can he make the most of it? 

Set 1:

Nadal 63% win in 1st serve, 80% on 2nd; 12 winners to 6 unforced errors

Djokovic 62% win in 1st serve, 50% on 2nd; 8 winners to 9 unforced errors

Set 2:

Nadal 56% win in 1st serve, 33% on 2nd; 21 winners to 19 unforced errors

Djokovic 63% win in 1st serve, 25% on 2nd; 18 winners to 15 unforced errors

Nadal had the opportunity with the empty court in front of him for a backhand return, but it instead rammed the net to give Djokovic a break point advantage. Two consecutive errors from Serb gives Nadal to make it deuce and then take the advantage. But he is denied by the defending champion, who subsequently takes a break point advantage again. Set point number two for Djokovic and he converts it. Djokovic TAKES THE SECOND SET. 

A comfortable game for Djokovic, holds serve to 15. Nadal will now serve to stay in the set. 

This is incredible tennis from the two stalwarts who are well past their 30s now. Backhand crosscourt winner from Djokovic helps him make it 40-all. But the backhand on the next point failed to find the baseline as Nadal gets an advantage. Nadal finally gets a game. It's 4-4 in the second set now

A huge roar from the Serb! He has now won four straight games to take a 4-3 lead in the second set. 

Momentum is swing the other way. 9 of the last 11 points have been won by Djokovic. Nadal left Djokovic expecting with a crosscourt backhand return but instead sent it down the line to make it 30-15, but the Spaniard slipped and erred on return as Djokovic gave himself a break point advantage. But with a booming ace, Nadal brought it down to deuce. Huge roar from Nadal as Djokovic failed to get through at the end of the long rally. That was fantastic tennis from two of the greats of the game. Nadal looked to deliver another forehand down the line, but sent the return well over the baseline. Djokovic is looking more confident now. This game has reached the 10-minute mark now. Nadal responds with an unbelievable forehand passing shot, superb response to a drop shot. But a first double fault of the night denies him the opportunity take the game. Consecutive errors gives Djokovic a break point advantage, third for the Serb, but he fails to convert. 4th Break point for Djoko after Nadal's return hits the net and the Spaniard denies him yet again as his drop shot technique fails to work again. 5th BP for Djoko thereafter and he breaks back again. So two breaks each. 

An ace, a disguised drop shot and Djokovic is suddenly looking to make a comeback into the game. He holds behind the break and is now 2-3 against Nadal. 

Djokovic now finds himself with a break point advantage at 40-30 after conditions get a little heavier at Roland Garros. And the Serb breaks back. Its 1-3 for Djokovic in the second set

Nadal bluffs his backhand return to make it 40-all. And then breaks once again. He goes 3-0 up now

Unbelievable display from Nadal so far. Holds serve again to take 2-0 lead in the second set. 

Nadal's phenomenal defense helps him take 40-30 lead, hence a break point advantage again. But a decent serve from the Serb drew an error from Nadal and then saved three more break points following a rare error from the Spaniard. An exquisite drop shot at the end of a long rally gives Nadal a fifth break point advantage, but Djokovic resists yet again with a big backhand down the line. THIS IS GETTING PHYSICAL!! Nadal is just not giving up. A forehand return down the line gives him a 6th break point advantage. And neither does Djokovic as he denies Nadal for the 6th time. 12 minutes up already in this game. NADAL does it in the 7th time. Breaks first in the second set

Djokovic managed to get his sliding backhand return to dip making it uncomfortable for Nadal to play the drop shot. Nadal then served it wide and executed the forehand return the other side to make it 15-all. The Serb responded with a big forehand winner down the line, but Nadal levelled it again by successfully convert at the net against another of Djokovic's backhand return. Nadal then stood on set point after a backhand crosscourt return goes long. FIRST SET IS FOR NADAL

The backhand return from Djokovic dribbles into the net, gives Nadal the time to adjust and make the score 15-all in the seventh game. Djokovic then draws him forward, but Nadal errs on the volley.  He then takes a 40-15 lead and then bags his second game. Djokovic keeps the opening set alive. It's 5-2 and Nadal will be serving for the set

That was comfortably done! Nadal registers his first love game on service and takes 5-1 lead in the opening set.

A long, long rally ends with Djokovic's superb crosscourt return that levels it at 30-all, but a return rammed into the net in the next point gives Nadal a break point advantage. AND HE BREAKS AGAIN!

Djokovic has finally arrived. He got his backhand to finally penetrate that offered him 30-15 lead before a superb return wide of Nadal's forehand handed him a break point advantage. Nadal levels it with impressive net play. A sliced backhand followed by a volley forces an error from Djokovic, but the Serb drew him forward again in the next point and then closes in the gap to deny Nadal an advantage. It's deuce again. Nadal however converts it successfully to maintain the lead.

Change of ends works in favour of Djokovic as he holds serve to make the scoreline 1-2

A forehand winner, an ace and a backhand return down the line gives Nadal a 40-30 lead. The Spaniard is then drawn forward, he reads the Serb and pushes it the other way to take a 2-0 lead

A forehand winner from Nadal levelled it at 30-all before Djokovic took the lead with the wide serve. Nadal however made it deuce with with yet another forehand winner. The Spaniard then drew the Serb forward before anticipating his return and gaining the advantage with a forehand return into the empty court. Djokovic then saved back-to-back break point before Nadal gains advantage again and breaks

Episode 59 of this blockbuster rivalry is underway at Stade Roland Garros. The winner has Zverev waiting for a semi-final clash