Nadal-Djokovic in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros: it will be match number 59

On Tuesday at Roland Garros there will be the quarter-final of dreams, the one played by the immortals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. It will be their 59th direct confrontation that has long made this match the most repeated in the history of Open tennis. The Serbian leads 30 to 28 in the previous, but the Spaniard is widely ahead 19-8 on clay, 10-7 in the Grand Slams and 7-2 at Roland Garros. The only statistical advantage for Nole is that when they met at the quarter-final level, the Serbian won 3 times out of 5. The world number 1 seeks the 12th semifinal, the Spaniard pursues the 110th victory in 113 games. play in the history of the tournament. In the event of a defeat, it could also be the last game Nadal played in this tournament. The outcome of the challenge will also have repercussions on the race for world number 1. If Nole makes it to the semifinals, Zverev no longer has a chance of becoming number 1 at the conclusion of the tournament. Medvedev instead remains in the running but to return to number 1 where he can win the tournament or reach the final as long as Nole loses in the semifinals. Rafa, on the other hand, can consolidate his leadership in the “race” that qualifies the top 8 for the Turin Masters. A rivalry that began in 2006 right here in Paris and which over the span of 16 years has produced some of the most memorable games in history. These listed are five of the most exciting challenges.

Wimbledon 2018, semifinal

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Djokovic b. Nadal 6-4 3-6 7-6 3-6 10-8 in 5 hours and 15 minutes.

The most beautiful and exciting challenge in the history of their rivalry takes place at Wimbledon and there is a place for the final up for grabs. The match starts late and the odds that it will end by 11pm, the deadline set by the Championships, vanish after the two contenders divide the first two sets. The real show begins in the third set tiebreaker. Nole cancels three set points (6-5, 7-6 and 8-7) and wins 11-9 at 23.02. All postponed to the next day. This time it is sunny, but the roof remains closed as per regulation. Rafa is demon-possessed, plays a fabulous fourth set, in the fifth he reaches the break ball five times: 2 times on 4 even and 3 times on 7 all. Nole is indestructible and in the 18th game of the fifth set he breaks Rafa’s joke by winning the epic challenge.

Roland Garros 2013, semifinal

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Nadal b. Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 9-7 in 4 hours and 37 minutes.

The best game played in Paris. After an hour and 16 minutes the Spaniard is ahead 6-4, 3-2 and serve, it seems like a walk. But suddenly Nole wakes up, puts in 4 games in a row and draws the set count. Rafa dominates the third and Nole seems exhausted when he loses the serve sending Nadal to serve for the match ahead 6-5 in the fourth. The Serbian finds two magical answers and everything is postponed to the tie break that the Serbian dominates by 7 points to 3. In the fifth Rafa goes into crisis, loses the bar and is constantly under the pressure of Novak Djokovic who climbs quietly up to 4-2 . At 4-3, 40-40 Nole makes an invasion of the field and at the third break point he gives up. Nole successfully serves to stay in the match at 4-5, 5-6 and 6-7. At 7-8, however, Nole goes down 0-30 and then 0-40 with the Serbian who sends out the last shot of the match.

Roland Garros 2021, semifinal

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Djokovic b. Nadal 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-2 in 4 hours and 11 minutes.

It is the last of the 58 challenges played between the two, number 17 in the Grand Slams and the ninth in Paris. Crazy start of Rafa (5-0) who plays fantastic tennis. Then Nole slowly gains the field, equalizes the set count and seems to spread into the third. The Serbian goes for a break twice (3-2 and then 5-4). Here he goes up 30-0, but Rafa puts in 4 points in a row and gets back to 5 all. At 6-5 Rafa gets a set point to go up two sets to one, but Nole cancels it with a spectacular short ball. At the tie-break there is balance up to 4-3, then Nole plays a crazy point, aces for 6-4 and then closes a simply stratospheric set 7-4. In the fourth set Rafa drops dramatically and Nole wins easily 6-2.

Australian Open 2012, final

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Djokovic b. Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 in 5 hours and 53 minutes

The hundredth final of the Australian Open enters the history of tennis by right. Not only is it the longest Grand Slam final ever, but it’s also one of the best fifth sets in history. Everything is decided in the sixth hour of the game. Nadal goes on a break for the 4-2. On the open field, the ball is missing that would have sent him 15-40 on Nole’s serve. The Serbian is good at making the counterbreak and taking it back on 4 all. Here he also has the ball to serve for the match, but Nadal plays two extraordinary points and barely keeps his serve. On 5 equal another break point for Nole, canceled by Nadal with a crossed backhand. Nole wins another break point and this time transforms it thanks to Nadal’s mistake. Nole serves for the match ahead 6-5, goes easily 30-0, Nadal scores three crazy points and reaches the break point. Then a tape offers Nole the first match point which he closes by falling to the ground.

Masters 1000 Madrid 2009, semifinal

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Nadal b. Djokovic 3-6 7-6 7-6 in 4 hours and 2 minutes

One of the many challenges played two sets out of three cannot be missing from the best five games played by the two monsters. It is the semi-final of the 2009 Madrid Masters 1000 which sets the record for the longest match in the best of three sets. Over 4 hours of show. Nole wins the first set, Nadal the second at the tie break for 7 points to 5. In the third set the Spaniard goes down 3-1, but recovers. At the tie-break Nole arrives at the match point three times: at 6-5, at 7-6 and at 9-8, but in the end he gives in to the last three consecutive points of the Majorcan.