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

It started in May and ended in June. But that was indeed an incredible match from two greats of the game. We will be back for the Live coverage of the semi-final matches of both women's and men's singles. 

The 13-time champion will now be up against Alexander Zverev in the semi-final. He leads 6-3 in H2H tie and 4-1 on clay. This will also be their first Grand Slam meeting since 2017 when Nadal had beaten the German in a five-setter tie in Australian Open round of 32. 

Make it 30-29 now for Nadal in his head-to-head battle with Djokovic. It's 20-8 on clay and 8-2 at Roland Garros for the Spaniard 

“Good evening, I am very emotional, thank you thank thank you everyone. It was incredible for me. It was so important for the crowd to be behind me. It was really special. It was a very tough match, Novak is one of the best players in history, and all the history we have. There is only one way to beat Novak and that is to play at your best. See you in two days, that’s all I can say.”

He beats the defending champion 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 to reach his 15th French Opens semifinal. WHAT A GAME THAT WAS! WHAT A WIN THAT WAS!

Nadal looking stronger and better in the tie-breaker as he takes a 5-1 lead. 

Both have a 9-2 win-loss record this year in tie-breakers. And are 9-9 in tie-breakers against each other in Grand Slams.

The second serve for Nadal at times has been outstanding. He holds to love as he forces a tie-breaker in the fourth set.

Djokovic anticipates Nadal's powerful backhand return and executes the drop shot. Nadal then errs on his forehand return as Djokovic holds serve to 15. He goes 6-5 up in the fourth set. 

Nadal holds serve to make it 5-5 in the fourth set. It's all level in the fourth set.

He saved two set points before converting his second break point to break Djokovic for the first time in the fourth set.

He holds serve to 30 to put pressure back on Djokovic who will now be serving for the set

An unforced error off his forehand put pressure on his serve, but he held his serve to 30 to take 5-2 lead in fourth set. 

He keeps the fourth set alive as he holds serve to love. Djokovic still leads 4-2

It was a strategy he was failing to pull off successfully in the first two sets, but in the last couple of games it did convert the points on it. He drew Nadal forward with the drop and then lobed the return, drawing the error. He tried to do it again, but this time Nadal caught him with the overhead volley. Nadal however failed to find the line with Djokovic stranded at the other end as the Serb takes 4-1 lead. 

He wins that service game easily to pull one back in the fourth set. Can he break back now?

Comfortably holds serve to love to take 3-0 lead in the fourth set. Nadal suddenly looking a bit off in match now. Can he script a return? 

Bit of a confusion there with the sliced backhand return, but it was marked out and this time it is Djokovic who breaks first in the fourth set

Both were inseparable during the shorter rallies (0-4) winning 14 points each, but Nadal (+5) dominated the mid-length rallies in the set

Nadal 70% win in 1st serve, 56% on 2nd; 8 winners to 7 unforced errors

Djokovic 58% win in 1st serve, 43% on 2nd; 7 winners to 16 unforced errors

After losing his first service game in the first three sets, Djokovic ends the streak to hold serve to 30. Takes 1-0 lead in the fourth set

A wild forehand return from Djokovic fails to find the line as Nadal takes the third set 6-2

Very comfortable service game from Djokovic, holds to love as he keeps the third set alive. Nadal will now be serving for the set

Nadal holds serve to 15 as he takes a 5-1 lead in the third set. He is now a game away from taking the third set against Djokovic

Nadal gains advantage in the third set as Djokovic goes double break down. Nadal now leads 4-1 in the third set