CNN
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Tennis celebrity Rafael Nadal beat longtime rival and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros early Wednesday to advance to the semifinals on the French Open.
The 59th installment of the storied rivalry between the 2 all-time tennis greats was one other thriller, with Nadal profitable 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).
The quarterfinal match, which ended after 1 a.m. native time in Paris, lasted greater than 4 hours and was probably the most anticipated of the match.
The 35-year-old Spaniard is searching for a record-extending 14th French Open title and likewise a record-extending 22nd major title.
Nadal will face Alex Zverev of Germany within the semifinals. Zverev, the world No. 3, superior after besting 19-year-old Spaniard and world No. 6 Carlos Alcaraz in 4 units on Tuesday.
In their head-to-head matches, greater than another two males within the sport’s skilled period, Nadal has overwhelmed Djokovic 29 instances, whereas Djokovic has gained 30.
And throughout Nadal’s lengthy illustrious profession, he has performed 113 matches at Roland Garros and gained 110 of them. Djokovic is chargeable for two of those three defeats in Paris.
But may this yr’s French Open be Nadal’s final? It sounds just like the 13-time Roland Garros champion, who’s coping with a nagging foot harm, isn’t certain.
On Sunday, following his five-set win in opposition to Felix Auger-Aliassime within the spherical of 16, Nadal stated, “Two and a half weeks ago, even if I had (positive hopes) after Rome, I didn’t even know if I would be able to be here. So I’m just enjoying the fact that I am here for one more year. And being honest, every match that I play here, I don’t know if it is going to be my last match in Roland Garros in my tennis career.”
Following his four-set win in opposition to Djokovic, he instructed reporters it was “one of these unforgettable nights” and he was “putting everything” into attempting “to play this tournament with the best conditions possible.”
“The crowd have been amazing since the beginning of the tournament,” Nadal stated. “I don’t know. I think probably they know that I’m not going to be here (many) more times.”
Nadal was requested if there’s a further emotional burden on him understanding that anyone match may very well be his final.
“I don’t know what can happen. I think, as I said before, I’m going to be playing this tournament because we are doing the things to be ready to play this tournament, but I don’t know what’s going to happen after here,” he stated.
“I have what I have there in the foot, so if we are not able to find an improvement or a small solution on that, then it’s becoming super difficult for me.”
Nadal stated he’s simply having fun with each day at Roland Garros “without thinking much about what can happen in the future” and can “keep fighting to find a solution.”
After the match, Djokovic congratulated Nadal saying he “showed why he’s a great champion. You know, staying there mentally tough and finishing the match the way he did.”
The world No. 1 stated, “I gave my best” however “I know I could have played better.”
“I’m proud of fighting and staying till the last shot. As I said, you know, I lost to a better player today … over four hours’ battle, and I have to accept this defeat.”
