Order of play for Day 11:
Veronika Kudermetova vs Daria Kasatkina
Iga Swiatek vs Jessica Pegula
Andrey Rublev vs Marin Cilic
Casper Ruud vs Holger Rune
Djokovic dethroned as World No 1
With the loss, Djokovic will not be World No 1 come 13 June and drop to World No 3. If Zverev wins the title, he will be the new top-ranked player. If Zverev doesn’t, Medvedev will be the new World No 1
Nadal in the on-court interview: “It was a very tough match. Djokovic is one of the toughest players. To win against Novak is to play your best from start to end. I’m super happy so thank you very much!”
? @RafaelNadal ?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/xY7bD2EuSo
Nadal now 110-3 at Roland Garros
Nadal beats Djokovic in 4 hours 12 minutes to bring their head-to-head to 30-29.
Nadal at #RolandGarros: 110-3pic.twitter.com/BS6n0daeLU#RolandGarros Live: https://t.co/ZfsY1w4aN4
Game, set, match Rafael Nadal!
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) to move into the 2022 French Open semi-final where he will face Alexander Zverev. Djokovic saving three match points but unable to make it four.
Tiebreak
Nadal is taking Djokovic apart. Takes the early minibreak and now has the match on his racquet. Djokovic has the court at his mercy but Nadal stands, waits and the ball comes at him. Plays it for a winner and takes a 3-0 lead
Djokovic sends his forehand long as Nadal continues to fight, continues to defend. The Spaniard 4-1 up now
Djokovic with a missed backhand and Nadal is cruising to the win. 5-1 now for Rafa
Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-6 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Both players go through their serves with relative ease. And we’re headed for the tiebreak. Nadal hasn’t won a tiebreak vs Djokovic since 2018.
From 2006-2012: Djokovic 2-7 Nadal
From 2013-2022: Djokovic 7-2 Nadal
Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 5-4 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Both players raising their level as the fourth set nears conclusion. Djokovic and Nadal both hitting the ball and connecting perfectly. Djokovic now serving for the fourth set. Nadal makes it 0-15 with a drop shot. Djokovic brings it to 15-15 with a 191kmph ace, his fifth of the match. Nadal makes it 15-30 with a perfectly placed backhand winner down the line. Yet another handy serve, 189kmph, down the T and it is put away for a forehand winner. Another serve down the T brings up set point. Djokovic nets his backhand and that’s a chance gone begging. On deuce, Djokovic with a well placed serve and then went behind Nadal to set up the point and bring up a second set point. And this one is saved as well. Djokovic comes up to the net but the approach isn’t good enough and Rafa sends a winner past the Serb. Nadal runs up and finishes the point off with a forehand winner. Break point. Saved! Djokovic with a very brave drop shot and then a two-handed drive volley winner. Djokovic looks to find the sideline with the backhand but sees the ball go wide. Second break point. BREAK! Nadal slaps a forehand winner on a short ball by Djokovic’s backhand.
This could make a difference in the end considering it does look like we’re going the distance
Interesting insight from Rui Machado, the Portuguese Davis Cup captain who’s commentating & just heard Nadal saying he’s only have one left. Most likely to be talking about his racquets. Wondering if he (almost unprecedently) changed his tension considering tonight’s conditions.
Djokovic* 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 4-2 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal (?@eurosport) pic.twitter.com/7MvB8yD6gw