2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (4:6): But the Spaniard pulls the serve full on the man – and Djokovic scores with an amazing return.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (3:6): Nadal’s return is too long. Now he serves to win the set.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (2:6): Djokovic shortened again with a backhand cross.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (1:6): But what is Djokovic doing there? His backhand slice is way too short. Nadal now has five match points.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (1:5): The next Djokovic shot is too long, this time a backhand cross. From the last 10 points, Nadal has won 9.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (1:4): Djokovic’s forehand is also too long. Of course, the Serb is risking a lot.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (1:3): Nadal hits a forehand out.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (0:3): Djokovic plays too much on the man, leaves the side free. And again Nadal whips through the longline.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (0:2): The next highlight from Nadal. A forehand on the line.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6 (0:1): Great hit from Nadal, Djokovic hits the return longline far out.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:6: Nadal just doesn’t give up. And we have the tiebreaker. The Spaniard gets through his service game 40:0, throws out one strong forehand after the next – Djokovic can’t keep up. Now everything could be decided.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 6:5: But Djokovic shows nerves of steel in this critical phase and gets through his service game. He already has the tie-break for sure.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 5:5: The audience in the Chatrier rages, “Rafa, Rafa” shouts from the ranks. Because the Spaniard is back, has his second, oh, third, oh, fourth air, currently seems more present, more secure than his opponent.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 5:4: It’s actually getting tight again: Djokovic gives away two set balls because he just doesn’t play consistently enough, while Nadal does. Then the Spaniard follows up with a forehand winner, again there are several ties until Nadal makes the perfect break with a forehand on the net.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 5:3: What a response from Nadal. The Spaniard countered a strong forehand from Djokovic with his own full forehand with plenty of speed – and that at 3:32 in the match. In the end, the point makes the difference and shortens it again.
2:6, 6:4, 2:6, 5:2: Is something still possible in the 4th sentence? Djokovic misses a forehand completely, then the next longline shot is too long. He lets Nadal come back again and again. But then he puts a forehand out himself – and now has to fight against losing the set.