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Novak Djokovic kept his ambitions of completing a career Grand Slam alive as he finally defeated his nemesis Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-3 6-1 in their eagerly anticipated quarterfinal match.
The Serbian, who had come close in recent years to toppling the Spaniard on this court, proved to be too strong this time around as Djokovic dominated for most parts of the match to hand Nadal his second loss at the French Open, with Robin Soderling as the only previous winner over the King of Clay at Roland Garros.
The match looked set to be another blockbuster that has come to define their rivalry in recent times, but the first set saw Djokovic quickly race out to a 4-0 lead by controlling the early exchanges to pin Nadal back beyond the baseline.
The defending French Open champion was very much on the defensive, but he managed to stage a remarkable comeback in breaking Djokovic back twice en route to levelling the set. The world number 1 began to feel the pressure, typified by an uncharacteristic forehand error with the court at his mercy which ultimately gifted the Spaniard the second break back.
But, it was still the Serbian who was in the ascendancy in the rallies, and despite not being able to capitalise on set points on Nadal’s serve at 5-4, the unrelenting pressure of the world number 1 told at 6-5, when the Spaniard finally cracked to push a volley wide with Djokovic rushing towards the net.
With the set in his pocket, Djokovic continued his supremacy on serve in the second set and Nadal virtually made no impression. Even though the Spaniard was not making enough first serves, he somehow stayed in touch early on but it was inevitable that Djokovic would pounce sooner rather than later.
The opportunity came at 4-3, and Nadal was unable to fend off the Serbian as an attempted forehand winner went wide to give Djokovic the crucial advantage to serve for the second set. Despite Nadal’s battling spirit to save set points, any thought of a comeback this time was emphatically answered as an incredible outstretched volley and irretrievable forehand left Nadal with a mountain to climb with a two set deficit.
The first two sets were quite lengthy but the pattern of Djokovic finding the break at the crucial time continued to unfold in the third set. The world number 1 held serve without too much trouble but again was in full command over his opponent, spreading the play well and reeling off winners to put the Spaniard under immense pressure again.
Nadal was vulnerable yet again on serve and a missed volley at the net sealed another break for Djokovic. At this point, the Serbian was brimming with confidence, taking apart Nadal brutally to ensure that the Spaniard only won one game in the third set.
Nadal had been the main reason behind Djokovic’s inability to win his first Roland Garros crown, beating the Serbian in the 2012 finals, 2013 semis and 2014 final. However, a straight sets dismissal of the Spaniard this time meant that Djokovic removed arguably the biggest obstacle between himself and a first trophy on the Parisian dirt. Next, the Serbian will face Andy Murray in the semi-finals, after the Scot topped a dogged David Ferrer in four sets.
