French Open: Nadal outplays Djokovic in quarters, eyes 22nd Grand Slam title

There is something about Rafael and the Roland Garros. You can’t rule him out as the favourite even when he is not fully fit or going through a bad form.

Those who were predicting Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to win the French Open men’s singles title learned this the hard way.

The clay court king stayed on course for a record 22nd Grand Slam title by beating arch-rival Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) in the quarter-final clash on Tuesday.

? What a set! What a comeback! ?

? Is 14 next for @RafaelNadal ?#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0Wa4mjZoau

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022

The 13-time Roland Garros champion had lost the world number one in the semi-finals here last year. After the four-set win over Djokovic, the Spaniard will now face German third seed Alexander Zverev who defeated Alcaraz in a five-set thriller.

HOW RAFA OUTPLAYED DJOKOVIC

Usually Nadal takes some time to get into the groove. But, on Tuesday, he looked focussed from the beginning and returned almost everything from his side of the court during the four-hour-12-minute match.

The 10-minute opening game, which Nadal won by breaking Djokovic's serve, set the tone of the match. He broke Djokovic again with a forehand winner before wrapping up the first set on his serve.

? Check out the best moments of @RafaelNadal 's thrilling four-set win over No.1 Novak Djokovic with Highlights by @emirates#RolandGarros | #EmiratesFlyBetterMoments pic.twitter.com/3F2oFCSD00

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2022

In the second set, the Serb fell 3-0 behind but he broke Nadal's serve to make a comeback. In the 18-minute sixth game, Djokovic broke Nadal again and went on to win the set 6-4.

The third set was very much like the first one as Nadal, after taking a 4-1 lead, won the set 6-2.

Djokovic made a comeback in the fourth set by breaking Nadal's serve and taking a 3-0 lead. But Nadal broke his serve again, taking the game to tiebreak and finally winning the match.

NADAL BEFORE THE FRENCH OPEN

Nadal opened his 2022 season with a personal-best of 20-0 and winning titles at ATP tour events in Melbourne, Acapulco and Australian Open and made it to the finals of the Indian Wells.

Later in the year he suffered with injuries, but, after recovering, he has looked strong in his French Open campaign so far.

He registered comfortable wins against Aussie Jordan Thompson and France's Corentin Moutet before surviving a five-set match against Felix Auger Aliassime in the third round.

14th FRENCH OPEN & 22nd GRAND SLAM TITLE NEXT?

Nadal is already the greatest player to have played the French Open ever with the 13th men's title at the tournament. But if he wins the next two matches, he would not only have 14 French Open titles, but also cement his place as the greatest men's tennis player of all time with 22 Grand Slams.

Cutting shapes ??@RafaelNadal | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/gvgMh9eaCF

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022

Djokovic and Roger Federer, who along with Nadal have dominated the men's tennis for the last two decades, have 20 Grand Slam titles each.

Nadal, who turns 36 on Friday, when he faces Zverev in the semifinals, just smiled when asked about his future in the post-match interview.

“See you, by the way, in two days. That’s the only thing that I can say,” Nadal said.