Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal at French Open
As Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal renew their rivalry on clay, here's a look back at their duels in previous editions of French Open.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will meet in the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. It will be their sixth clash at Roland Garros with Nadal winning all six.
AFP Sports looks back at the pair's Paris meetings, concentrating on the matches in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
2014
Final
Nadal bt Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4
- Nadal wins ninth Roland Garros title and 14th major, becoming first man to win five Roland Garros crowns in succession as the Spaniard takes his record at the tournament to 66 wins against just one defeat.
The Serb dominates the early stages of the final, seemingly immune to the sweltering 30-degree heat on Philippe Chatrier court.
But Nadal, playing in his 20th Grand Slam final to Djokovic's 13th, grows stronger as the final wears on as he ends a four-match losing streak against his old rival.
The 3hr 31min duel ends on a sour note when Djokovic double-faults on match point, shaken by a shout from the crowd.
2013
Semi-final
Nadal bt Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7
- Nadal recovers from 4-2 down in the deciding set to clinch victory after 4 hours 37 minutes on court
In a dramatic and controversial final set, Djokovic breaks for 1-0 before Nadal levels in the eighth game after the Serb is handed a time violation and then loses a point when he collides with the net as he puts away a smash.
Djokovic even summons the tournament supervisor onto the court to rage over the court conditions as he prepares to serve at 7-8.
Nadal pounces, moving to three match points and clinches victory when Djokovic, who ends with an ugly 75 unforced errors, hits wild and long.
2012
Final
Nadal bt Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
- In a fractious final pushed into a third week for only the second time because of rain on the Sunday, victory is achieved on a Djokovic double fault and allows Nadal to break the tie for six French Opens he shares with Bjorn Borg.
For Djokovic, the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion, it is the end of his dream of emulating Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) by holding all the Grand Slams at once.
He is left to regret his unforced error count of 53 which undermines his challenge.
When play was suspended on the Sunday Nadal was leading 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2, but with Djokovic in the ascendancy and serving for a 3-1 lead in the fourth set.
Earlier meetings in Paris
2008
Semi-final
Nadal bt Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3)
2007
Semi-final
Nadal bt Djokovic 7-5, 6-4, 6-2
2006
Quarter-final
Nadal bt Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 - retired