French Open 2021: Djokovic becomes the only player to beat Nadal at Roland Garros semi-finals

Dojokovic vs Nadal; one of the biggest individual rivalries in sports, if not the biggest. Moreover, if it is at the French Open it becomes more special as you just enter the king's house to defeat him. Yes, if you ever wished to beat Rafael Nadal, you would not wish it to be the French Open. He is just unbeatable there. However, it is Novak Djokovic who did the unthinkable in the French Open 2021.

Novak who came to the French Open 2021 as the number one seeded tennis player was winning everything until he had to face the 13 time French Open champion in Rafael Nadal.

Though the world had doubted the Spanish before the tournament, but you just can ride off the king from the competition. And, Djokovic was up for the challenge as well.

The first set went to the left hander as Nadal went up with 1-0 with 6-3 win in the first set. He looked comfortable. But the world knew there was a fight left in the Serbian's tank.

Read Also: Longest Tennis matches in history (All formats)

Novak fought back. And he made sure he sent some indication as well that this match would last long. He leveled the match with 6-3 win in the second set.

The third set went down to the wire. Novak could not hold onto his lead as Nadal breaks back for 5-5. Novak went 30-0 up but could not reach to the set point. A ripper forehand down the line from the king of clay meant he was not there just to give it up.

Scoreline- 2-1 to Nadal after 3rd set.

In the fourth set it looked nearly over for the No.1 ranked player in the world as Nadal served for set point. But, Nvak saved it. Then came the tie-breaker. Nvak served for the set point at 5-4. But the drama continued as he could not hold on it and faced a set point from Nadal instead. 5-6 to Nadal in the tie-breaker. But a back-hand drop shot saved the set for him as he went on to clinch the set 7-6.

Read Also: 10 longest winning streak in tennis history which are unforgettable

Rafa could not resist the Serbian in the fourth set as Djokovoic went on the win the fifth set 6-2. He became the first-ever player to beat Nadal at and beyond this stage of the French Open ever.

The final score was- 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

After only losing his 3rd match in a 108 matches long Roland Garros career Nadal said, "I had the big chance with set point, 6-5, second serve. That's it. Anything could happen in that moment. Then I make a double-fault, easy volley in the tiebreak. But it's true that have been crazy points out there. The fatigue is there, too, no?"

"These kind of mistakes can happen. But if you want to win, you can't make these mistakes. So that's it. Well done for him. Have been a good fight out there. I try my best, and today was not my day."

Nadal after losing to Novak

Read Also: 2021 French Open Final: Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Alexander Zverev for his first Grand Slams Final

Novak Djokovic will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of French Open 2021.