World primary Novak Djokovic mentioned he was happy with the struggle he put up in one other classic contest towards his nice rival Rafael Nadal within the French Open quarterfinal, admitting on Tuesday that he misplaced to a greater participant.
Djokovic, the 35-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, conceded an early break to Nadal in every of the primary three units and had two set factors within the fourth. However the Spaniard clinched the four-hour, 12-minute contest within the tiebreaker.
"I gave my greatest," Djokovic advised reporters after his 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) defeat. "I do know I may have performed higher. I am happy with combating and staying until the final shot.
"I misplaced to a greater participant right now. Had my probabilities. Did not use them. That is it. You recognize, over 4 hours' battle, and I've to simply accept this defeat."
MATCH REPORT | French Open: Nadal beats Djokovic in epic conflict, faces Zverev in semifinals
Djokovic defeated Nadal, who has gained 13 of his males's file 21 Grand Slam titles on the Parisian clay, in final yr's semifinals at Roland Garros earlier than lifting the Musketeers' Cup for a second time in his profession.
Nadal arrived in Paris this yr after two accidents that had hampered his preparations and got here into Tuesday's contest following a tricky five-set win in his final match. However he nonetheless discovered the stamina to beat Djokovic of their 59th profession assembly.
In distinction, Djokovic picked up an ATP 1000 title in Rome earlier than arriving at Roland Garros and had not misplaced a set in his earlier rounds on the clay-court Grand Slam.
The Serb congratulated Nadal for the victory and mentioned he was not stunned by his opponent's bodily health in the course of the lengthy battle beneath the lights of Court docket Philippe Chatrier.
FOLLOW: MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
"He was a greater participant I feel in vital moments," Djokovic mentioned. "Began very effectively. I did not begin so nice ... I used to be gaining momentum as I used to be coming again within the second set, managed to win the second set, and I assumed, 'Okay, I am again within the recreation.
"However then he had one other two, three implausible video games firstly of the third. He was simply in a position to take his tennis to a different stage in these, significantly moments firstly of all units, really, besides the fourth.
"I had my probabilities. Only one or two pictures. May have taken me right into a fifth. Then it is actually anyone's match. However once more, he confirmed why he is an ideal champion. Staying there mentally robust and ending the match the best way he did. Congrats to him and his staff. Little doubt he deserved it."
