Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are extending their long rivalry with a quarterfinal match at Roland Garros. Follow updates here.

He refused to get vaccinated for Covid-19, which ultimately kept him from playing the Australian Open and two important tournaments in the United States at Indian Wells and Miami. Stephens, 29, is now based in the Boston area, but she was long based in South Florida, like Gauff and her family, and knew them well enough to attend Gauff’s 10th birthday party. A year ago, Gauff faced Barbora Krejcikova, a then-unseeded doubles specialist, in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and lost, 7-6 (6), 6-3. Unlike some teen prodigies, Gauff did not soar to the top of women’s tennis in a hurry. Before that match, neither Nadal nor Djokovic had dropped a single set at Roland Garros this year. Zverev, despite his fine performance, is still a long way from winning his first Grand Slam singles title. “At the end of the day, I knew I had to play my absolutely best tennis today from the start, and I’m happy I did that,” Zverev said. Zverev missed a backhand of his own on his first match point, but he won the next two points to close out the match, finishing off the victory with a bold backhand return winner down the line that Alcaraz, one of the quickest men in tennis, could not come close to reaching. It did not help that before he entered their realm as one of the greatest players of all time, Djokovic began doing impressions of their on-court tics and style. Warmer temperatures increase the speed and kinetic energy of the molecules inside the ball. He has been virtually unbeatable in his night matches at the U.S. and Australian Opens. In their 59th match, Nadal and Djokovic have no real secrets at this stage.

Rafael Nadal makes a fast start to win a high-quality opening set against Novak Djokovic on Tuesday night in the 2022 Roland Garros quarter-finals.

Just as in the opening set, Nadal began set two with a crucial break of serve in a titanic opening game. He won his fifth break point of a seven-deuce game to draw level, then fought off a break point to hold for 4-3 across four deuces. Nadal and Djokovic both put on a show in the opening set of their Roland Garros quarter-final, but Nadal struck the first heavy blows to win it, 6-2.

Djokovic takes on Nadal in French Open quarter-finals. Djokovic leads 30-28 overall; Nadal 19-8 on clay, including 7-2 at Roland Garros.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC goes head-to-head with his arch-rival Rafael Nadal on the famous clay courts of Roland Garros.

Who will come out on top between Djokovic and Nadal in tonight's repeat of their semi-final at the French Open from a year ago? He simply has no answer to Nadal at the moment. The match starts at 7.45pm UK time in the Court Philippe-Chatrier night session, and Djokovic has already been talking up his chances ahead of the showpiece match-up. When it comes down to current form, Djokovic looks back to his ruthless best and has so far won all four of his French Open matches in straight sets. While Nadal is world-renowned when it comes to playing on a clay surface, the Spanish champion has admitted that evening match slots don't sit well with him and can cause issues during play. Both men have been hotly-tipped as the favourites to go on and win the tournament, with Djokovic the current holder of the title after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final 12 months ago. The momentum has well and truly shifted. "This feels like it but who knows how long these guys will keep going? Could this be a five-setter after all? The duo, who have won 41 Grand Slam titles between them, continue their rivalry with a men's record 59th meeting in competition tennis. Novak Djokovic wins only his third point of the evening, with Rafael Nadal finding the net with his final shot. In a battle of the titans, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal face off on the main court at Roland Garros, each bidding to progress to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Martina Trevisan became the first Italian woman to reach the Roland-Garros semi-finals since Sara Errani in 2013 thanks to an impressive 6-2, 6-7(3), ...

Rolling report: Join our team for all the latest as the quarter-finals get under way at Roland Garros.

Then comes an ace, but then a double fault, a first, and it’s back to deuce. But then a service return has Alcaraz netting the ball off his toes. Then Alcaraz again misses as he tries to get around a forehand, and that’s a third set point. Then Alcaraz misses from the baseline with a backhand. Then a serve and volley at the net takes it to 30-30. Alcaraz has a glimpse of a comeback, and the crowd on his side, as he gets to 0-30 after a Zverev error. Then Alcaraz nets with a backhand for 2-0 to Zverev. He somehow digs out a winner to the back of the court for 1-2. This has been a problem in the Zverev career..but he follows up with a bomb that levels the set. Then Alcaraz gets a tad lucky on the next point when Zverev slows up. An ace takes Zverev to 30-0, a sixth, then comes a sixth double. Then comes an angled winner for 4-3 to the Spaniard. Then Zverev levels with a winner. He missed the first after a drop shot sets Zverev scrabbling.

ONE of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's former rivals has warned the world No 1 over his performance in their French Open quarter-final.

And after the reigning champion dropped the opening set in 49 minutes, the former world No 3 admitted that something had to change or Nadal would breeze through. "Rafa is playing very well and I think Nole is using the wrong tactic," the 2009 US Opn champion claimed during the first set. Djokovic was arguably the favourite going into his quarter-final against Nadal with the 13-time French Open champion injured and out of form with little preparation ahead of the tournament, admitting that he didn't know whether he'd be able to compete as early as two-and-a-half weeks ago.

FOR the 59th time, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will face off with a place in the French Open semi-finals on the line.

"In this case, perhaps together with our match in 2015, they're the two matches that I face Djokovic here and he leads as the clear favourite. Ahead of the match, Nadal commented on his opponent and vowed to give it all when he steps on court later. Nadal however, leads their grand slam head to head 10-7, and 7-2 in the French capital. A very physical and competitive match between the two is expected tonight though, and here is how you can make sure you do not miss any of the action. Two of tennis’ greatest ever players Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will square off for place in the French Open semi-finals. The great Spaniard is bidding for a record-extending 22nd grand slam crown, while the Serbian is looking to match his rival’s tally.

But the victory did allow Nadal to protect his lead in the career-long race to finish with the most Grand Slam men's singles titles. Nadal took sole possession ...

He was downbeat after that defeat but did not rule out playing in the French Open and arrived in Paris with his longtime physician, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro. Djokovic did not get the chance to play that tournament in Australia. He was deported on the eve of the competition after a standoff with the Australian government over his unvaccinated status. Nadal took sole possession of the men’s record with 21 by winning the Australian Open in January, breaking his tie with his longtime rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer, who both have won 20.

Rafael Nadal defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four sets to advance to the Roland Garros semifinals. He remains alive for his 14th French Open title ...

He met Djokovic at the net and then raised his hands in celebration to the roaring crowd. Between Novak, Roger [Federer], myself — we have an amazing story together facing each other in the most important matches for such a long time. “Of course we have a lot of history together," Nadal said. "A lot of important moments playing against each other. Djokovic showed signs of frustration during the match. The Spaniard capitalized on a slew of break points (7-for-17). “If Nadal somehow wins and goes on to win 22 and Djokovic never gets there, that could be the decider. "He showed why he's a great champion," Djokovic said. Djokovic, the defending champion in Paris, had not lost a set entering the quarterfinal. The 59th encounter between the two legends was full of history. "But it's just a quarterfinal match, no? "It has been a very emotional night for me.

Rafael Nadal emerged on top in the latest instalment of his rivalry with Novak Djokovic as the Spaniard reached the French Open semi-finals.

Djokovic scythed Nadal’s serve down with his return and he slowly moved on top of the baseline as it was he who dictated the exchanges, crushing the ball and rushing the Nadal forehand as the Spaniard began the ball short. Nadal opened the third set by continually looking to reach the net and he again broke serve immediately. Nadal arrived on his court and set the tone from the beginning, forcing his way inside the baseline and looking to unload on his forehand down the line, the historic barometer of his confidence. In those early stages, as a sublime Nadal took the set, Djokovic struggled. In the historic 59th meeting of the rivalry that never ends, Nadal moves to 29-30 against Djokovic in their head-to-head record. In a match that began in May and ended in June, Nadal blew Djokovic away in the opening stages, then absorbed a multiple strong fightbacks before rising to win 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).

The Spaniard, looking for a 14th Roland Garros title, hustled his way to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (4) win over the defending champion and world number one, in an ...

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. They give the money. “But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. I think they are starting too late, to be honest. “He showed why he’s a great champion. I didn’t start so great.

The Spaniard, looking for a 14th Roland Garros title, hustled his way to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (4) win over the defending champion and world number one, in an ...

“But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. They give the money. “He showed why he’s a great champion. I think they are starting too late, to be honest. I didn’t start so great. A match that had started in May was now being played in June. Into a tie-break and Nadal roared into a 6-1 lead, Djokovic brought it back to 6-4, but a backhand winner brought the 59th meeting of these two greats to an end.

Rafael Nadal demonstrates why he is the greatest player in French Open history by beating Novak Djokovic in a late-night thriller to reach the semi-finals.

But he was able to take his tennis to another level." But he was able to take his tennis to another level." I will stay emotionally stable and get ready for the semi-final." "I gained momentum in the second set and I thought I was back in the game. "He was the better player in the important moments, he started well and I didn't start so well," said Djokovic. "I gained momentum in the second set and I thought I was back in the game.

The Spaniard, looking for a 14th Roland Garros title, battled to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory over the defending champion and world No 1, in a match lasting ...

I fought until the last second of the match, and I'm proud of it." "But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. "He showed why he's a great champion. A magic night for me." Nadal threw some early punches after coming hurtling out of the blocks. A magic night for me"

Rafael Nadal got past rival Novak Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in Tuesday's monumental quarterfinal showdown to move a step closer to his 14th ...

In the early going, and down the stretch, it was Nadal getting the better of the baseline back-and-forths, pushing and pulling Djokovic this way or that, up and back, until an opening for a clean winner presented itself. Nadal is now 110-3 for his career at the place. But Djokovic's 3-0 lead in the fourth did him no good, even though he served for it at 5-3, even standing one point from forcing a fifth twice. Nadal heard far more support in the form of yells of "Ra-fa!'' or "Vamos!'' or "Te quiero!'' Only once Djokovic began to assert himself in the second set was his nickname "No-le!'' heard with any frequency. Nary a game, a point, a stroke or, indeed, a step came with a hint of insouciance. This time, Nadal made sure Djokovic remains behind him in the Slam count with 20.

The Spaniard, looking for a 14th Roland Garros title, hustled his way to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (4) win over the defending champion and world number one, in an ...

“But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. They give the money. “He showed why he’s a great champion. I think they are starting too late, to be honest. I didn’t start so great. A match that had started in May was now being played in June. Into a tie-break and Nadal roared into a 6-1 lead, Djokovic brought it back to 6-4, but a backhand winner brought the 59th meeting of these two greats to an end.

Most prolific rivalry in men's tennis produced another classic, with the Spaniard coming through in four. Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2022, quarter-final ...

Nadal wrapped up the crucial first set in style, but the battle was just getting started. By the second point of the match, the pair had set the tone with a lengthy rally, before Nadal broke Djokovic off a missed netcord to take the early lead. He needed a tiebreak to close out his 6-2, 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Molcan in the second round.

Two of the sport's all-time heavyweights slugged it out in Paris, with Rafa Nadal coming out of Court Philippe Chatrier victorious.

The metro had long closed, but no one dared move until Nadal took four steps into the middle of the court and raised his arms to the sky, before falling to clasp his knees. But the louder the boos, the harder the Djokovic forehand, the more precise the serve. They waited for a spark or for Djokovic's expressionless mask to slip -- and it did in the second game of the fourth, when he clubbed the net in frustration after he was unable to tame a Nadal forehand. "So yeah, between Novak, Roger [Federer], myself, we have an amazing story together facing each other in the most important matches for such a long time. The crowd responded by booing Djokovic to the skies. But the night drew in, and the starless sky blanketed the stadium just as Djokovic started winning, finding his rhythm to take the second set 6-4. "The crowd is something difficult to describe; I can't thank everyone enough here in Paris. It was an unforgettable night." "I know I could have played better," Djokovic said. And from the moment the two walked out, it had that big-event feel. All week the two worked in contrast, just like great rivals: Djokovic wanting to play at night, Nadal during the day; Nadal playing down expectations, Djokovic talking up his chances. The two grizzled heavyweights of the sport have traded blows since they first met on this patch of clay back in 2006. As sporting rivalries go, add this up there with the best of them; they are one of the very few surefire things in tennis.

Nadal and Djokovic spend more than four hours on court and finish at 1.15am in Paris.

“We need to find a balance, the right balance to make the things the best way possible. It is true that to start the match here nine in the evening playing on clay, best-of-five can be very long. “All the history that we have together. “But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. Djokovic added: “Again, he showed why he’s a great champion. No doubt he deserved it.”

Rafael Nadal discusses his Roland Garros quarter-final victory over Novak Djokovic and gives his opinion on the Grand Slam title race between him, ...

But still a super classic match and in a big scenario." The main goal is be focused on [keeping] the level that I have been playing today." "If I am not playing good or if I am losing in that semi-finals match, [it is] not going to be because I'm not going to be focussed... "Tonight has been just a quarter-final match, not the final. "In the end, it has been a very emotional night for me," he said. It's not much difference, so [it] doesn't matter." "I became emotional because, of course, the last three months and a half for me, the only thing that I can say is it hasn't been easy," Nadal explained in his post-match press conference. "So from my perspective... But tomorrow [I'm] going to start thinking about things that I need to do to be ready for that semi-finals. "We played... "I know how the things works, no? Nadal did not want to focus on his difficult buildup to Roland Garros, which included a six-week recovery from a rib fracture and continued issues with his chronic foot injury.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic say their French Open quarter-final started too late after a four-hour match ended at 1:16am local time in Paris.

"I have what I have in the foot. Honestly, I don't know what can happen after but here I think I'm going to be fine. Playing another semi-finals here in Roland Garros means a lot to me." That's the world we are living in." "I think they are starting too late. Asked if is was too late to be playing, Nadal said: "It is without a doubt.

Novak Djokovic has played down Rafael Nadal's injury issues, saying he looked '100% physically fit' in Tuesday night's French Open clash.

‘I am just enjoying every day that I have the chance to be here and without thinking much about what can happen in the future. I am old enough to not hide things or come here and say a thing that I don’t believe,’ said the 21-time Grand Slam champion. He has done it many times in his career so I am not surprised.’

Nadal has lifted the men's singles trophy 13 times at Roland Garros, making him the most successful player in the history of the tournament. No player has won ...

At the moment we haven’t found a solution. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. No player has won that many titles at any of the other Grand Slams, and Nadal holds more major trophies than any men’s player (21).

PARIS (AP) - Rafael Nadal insists he can't know for sure whether any match at Roland Garros might be his very ...