French Open 2021: Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal in era-defining semi-final at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in one of the greatest matches of this era. It was so good the French prime minister lifted the Covid curfew.

Just when you may have thought that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic could not possibly take their rivalry to new heights at the age of 35 and 34, respectively, they produced a curfew-breaking French Open semi-final that will be remembered as one of the greatest matches of this era.

On an extraordinary night of drama at Roland Garros, Djokovic inflicted Nadal’s third ever defeat in 108 matches on the Parisien clay, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. At four hours and 11 minutes, the match was so long that it forced local authorities, under instruction from the French prime minister Jean Castex, to issue a last-minute exemption from the local 11pm Covid-19 curfew because of fears that some of the 5,000 fans on Court Philippe-Chatrier would stage a sit-in protest.

Thankfully, sense prevailed as it would have been somewhat anti-climactic had the closing stages of this tumultuous battle been played out to the sound of silence. Both players received a standing ovation from the passionate crowd when the match finally came to a conclusion at 11:20pm.

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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal shake hands after their epic at Roland Garros. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

This was the 58th episode of one of the most significant rivalries in the history of the sport, and perhaps the finest.

“You cannot play better clay-court tennis than this, it’s perfect,” Andy Murray wrote on social media from his Surrey home, while Andy Roddick tweeted: “It’s one of the best matches I’ve ever seen.”

When Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer eventually retire, and we look back at this remarkable era, it could even be regarded as one of the most important matches ever. If Djokovic goes on to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No 5 seed from Greece, in Sunday’s final, then he will claim a 19th grand-slam title, closing to within one of both Nadal and Federer in the all-time men’s list.

“It is definitely the best match I was ever a part of at Roland Garros, and in the top three in general,” Djokovic said.

“Playing my biggest rival on the court on which he’s been a dominant force for so long. It was an electric atmosphere. One of the nights you remember forever.”

Nadal, a 13-times champion at Roland Garros, might look back on the closing stages of the first set with some regret. The Spaniard took a 5-0 lead but allowed Djokovic to wrestle back some of the momentum by winning three consecutive games. Although Nadal did close out the set, he had given his formidable rival something to build on.

The second set was a brutal affair packed full of punishing baseline rallies. One break of serve proved enough for Djokovic, with Nadal losing his first set in a French Open semi-final since 2013 against the same opponent.

You cannot play better clay court tennis than this. It’s perfect. 👏
@DjokerNole@RafaelNadal@rolandgarros

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 11, 2021

In awe of what we just witnessed for the past 4 hours @DjokerNole@RafaelNadal forever champs!!

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 11, 2021

Loving every second of this @DjokerNole v @RafaelNadal epic.

Who wins from here? We're watching from Down Under and having popcorn for breakfast 🤩 🍿 ☕️ 🙌 #RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/vbv4gh3C7q

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) June 11, 2021

Djokovic won in four hours and 11 minutes. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

But the loudest cheer of the night was when the crowd was informed a curfew exemption had been granted. Picture: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT/AFP

It turned out that this was merely the warm-up act for one of the greatest sets of tennis ever seen. Lasting 92 minutes, both players pushed their shotmaking and bodies to the limit to bring out the best of each other. After four breaks of serve, and a deft drop shot by Djokovic that saved set point at 5-6, a tense tiebreak ensued. Nadal uncharacteristically missed with the volley into the open court to go down a mini break at 4-3 and Djokovic held his nerve to convert the first of two set points at 6-4.

The loudest cheer of the night then followed when the crowd was informed by the master of ceremonies that a curfew exemption had been granted. Nadal’s fans also let out another roar moments later when their favourite claimed an immediate break of serve for 1-0, yet he still looked physically and mentally shot after the hammer-blow of losing the tiebreak and he won only one more game as Djokovic went on to seal a stunning victory.

“The years are going by and I know that there is lesser chance with every year,” Nadal said. “It is a very important tournament for me, but I am aware that you can’t win every time. I played against one of the best ever.”

Djokovic will be the overwhelming favourite to claim a second French Open title against Tsitsipas, who became Greece’s first ever grand-slam singles finalist by holding off a stirring comeback by Alexander Zverev to prevail 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 35 minutes.

Djokovic will play Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

A match for the ages 🙌#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/8XU8oXQ5Zn

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2021

Tsitsipas, 22, has been regarded in recent years as one of the most talented members of the next generation and he is delivering on that potential by edging ever closer to becoming a major champion.

Breaking down in tears afterwards during his on-court interview, Tsitsipas’s outpouring of emotion was a mixture of ecstasy and relief. This is what he has worked towards ever since he picked up a racket for the first time as a toddler under the encouragement of his mother Julia Salnikova, formerly a Fed Cup player for the Soviet Union during the 1980s. He is now the youngest male player to reach the final of a major tournament since a 22-year-old Murray at the 2010 Australian Open.

“All I can think of is my roots,” Tsitsipas said. “I came from a really small place outside of Athens. My dream was to play here on the big stage of the French Open one day. I would have never thought I would make it.

“It is important for me to do my job well enough to have recognition back in my country.”

Originally published as French Open 2021: Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal in era-defining semi-final at Roland Garros