Welcome to Sportstar's dwell protection of the 2022 French Open males's singles quarterfinal between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. That is Nihit Sachdeva taking you thru the motion because it unfurls on the Philippe-Chatrier Courtroom at Roland Garros in Paris.
11:50 PM: Head-to-head - Djokovic leads 30-28 general however Nadal leads 10-7 in Grand Slam tournaments, together with a 7-2 document at Roland Garros. Test the earlier French Open conferences between the 2 giants of the game right here: Nadal vs Djokovic: French Open conferences to this point
11:45 PM: First up, let's take a look on the numbers (courtesy ATP Media Notes) behind the 2 gamers concerned on this mega conflict:-
|
11:40 PM: When Djokovic and Nadal step on the courtroom in lower than an hour, they know their potential semifinal opponent - Germany's Alexander Zverev, who has simply overwhelmed Spanish teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-4 4-6, 7-6 (7) in an exciting quarterfinal.
11:30 PM: Properly, right here we're. As predicted as soon as the draw got here out, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are set to face one another within the males's singles quarterfinal of the 2022 French Open.
MATCH PREVIEW
Djokovic, Nadal conflict for 59th time in French Open blockbuster
Novak Djokovic renews his 16-year rivalry with Rafael Nadal on the French Open on Tuesday with a semifinal spot at stake and the place victory for the world primary might finish the 13-time champion's Roland Garros profession.
Nadal, who turns 36 on Friday, places his document of 109 wins and simply three losses in Paris since his title-winning debut in 2005 on the road in opposition to the defending champion.
The Spaniard was taken to 5 units for less than the third time on the match by 21-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime within the fourth spherical.
RELATED | Nadal or Djokovic? 'It is like a coin toss' says McEnroe
Within the quick aftermath of that victory, Nadal admitted that not solely was this 12 months's French Open at stake however probably his complete enjoying future.
"I do know my state of affairs, and I settle for it," mentioned Nadal, who arrived in Paris uncertain if he would be capable of participate after struggling a recurrence of a power foot damage which has plagued him for many of his profession.
"I'm simply having fun with the truth that I'm right here for yet one more 12 months. And being trustworthy, each match that I play right here, I do not know if it may be my final at Roland Garros."
Total, Djokovic leads Nadal 30-28 since their first profession assembly on the 2006 French Open.
Nadal has a 19-8 edge on clay and has gained seven of the pair's 9 conferences in Paris.
Djokovic, nevertheless, got here out on prime within the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2021 on his technique to a second title.
Evening fears
That defeat took a bodily toll on Nadal who then skipped Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open.
With Djokovic deported from Melbourne on the eve of the Australian Open, Nadal seized the chance to assert a record-setting twenty first Grand Slam title, breaking a tie with Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Each males are enjoying within the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the sixteenth time.
Djokovic has reached the last-eight with ease. He has gained 22 units in a row, a run stretching again to his Italian Open triumph in Rome.
"I am glad that I did not spend an excessive amount of time on the courtroom as much as the quarter-finals, figuring out that enjoying Nadal in Roland Garros is at all times a bodily battle," mentioned Djokovic.
Including an additional twist was a battle of wills over scheduling which Nadal misplaced Monday when organisers chosen the quarter-final for the evening session below the Courtroom Philippe Chatrier lights.
RELATED | Djokovic v Nadal French Open quarterfinal placed on evening session regardless of Spaniard's reluctance
"I do not wish to play on clay in the course of the evening, as a result of the humidity is greater, the ball is slower, and there may be very heavy circumstances particularly when it is chilly," mentioned Nadal.
Djokovic hinted he would like to face Nadal as late as attainable.
"All I'll say is Rafa and I'd make totally different requests," he mentioned.
Nadal's coach Carlos Moya mentioned that the Spaniard's opinion ought to have carried weight.
"I would not say disrespect, however right here at Roland Garros, Rafa has credit score," Moya informed RMC Sport.
"He has gained the match 13 occasions, and if he has a request, it is best to take heed to him. He's a part of the historical past of Roland Garros."
"However ultimately, it's a query of enterprise and we perceive that."
Carlos Alcaraz, who faces Alexander Zverev, mentioned it might have been "unfair" if he was ordered to play after 9pm for the third time.
- AFP
