Twitter reacts as Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to enter the Rome Masters final

Thinking this might not take that long from here. Whatever happens, Djokovic has shown his basic level is getting back to where it was, and his desire is there. But physically, not yet. #Nadal #Djokovic
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 19, 2018

The greatest rivalry in the Open Era! Nice win for #Nadal today in Italy. I knew #Djokovic would be back, and he’s nearly there - a great thing for tennis. The next installment of this rivalry will be equally tantalizing! https://t.co/n6sw13WuOs
— Andrew Prochnow (@AndrewProchnow) May 19, 2018

I forgot how fast my heart beats during Rafole matches.
— Nadal News (@nadalnews) May 19, 2018

Doesn’t matter what happens from here on out—Djokovic is now one of the few legitimate threats to Nadal at Roland Garros. To even stretch Rafa to a tiebreak on clay this season is saying something. Welcome back. #IBI18
— Ed McGrogan (@EdMcGrogan) May 19, 2018

« Today I played against one of the best players of the history of this sport : that is the challenge », Nadal when asked what makes Novak tougher than others to play against.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) May 19, 2018

Djokovic 2018 is basically Nadal 2016.

Fighting and scrapping against the fading of the light in their careers. Nadal did it successfully. Looks increasingly like Djokovic will, too.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) May 19, 2018

Djokovic: "For people watching on TV, they don't see it. But it's a huge difference playing against Nadal against the wind. If you don't hit the ball in the exact spot he's there, on top of the ball" #ibi18
— Ubitennis (@Ubitennis) May 19, 2018

Make Tennis Great Again #NadalVsDjokovic
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) May 19, 2018

Novak Djokovic will leave the top 20 for the first time in almost 12 years but lord, at this level, he will comeback soon.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 19, 2018

Let me tell you that the next generation is going to have some tremendous work to do on and off the court to create the passion we've seen again today around Nadal and Djokovic. There's a Royal Legacy to be worthy of post Big 4.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) May 19, 2018

The exchange at the net was really nice 😍 #SoMuchRespect pic.twitter.com/iQjLhsBwcZ
— Genny SS (@genny_ss) May 19, 2018

That handshake at the net was splendid. That's what is called respect between two legends.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) May 19, 2018

Djokovic keeping this one much closer than I would have anticipated but in the end it's Nadal who wraps it up 7:6 6:3 (1 hour 56 minutes).

Nadal to face either Cilic or Zverev in the finals. Promising last two matches from Djokovic tho. #ibi18
— René Denfeld (@Renestance) May 19, 2018

What a set that was. It's so great to see Djokovic yelling at people again.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) May 19, 2018

Rome SF: Novak Djokovic (SRB) injects some life into both himself and the French Open, but Rafael Nadal (ESP) still shows who's boss--and king--on clay with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) May 19, 2018

Djokovic was so much closer than many would have thought in that match! Somebody has worked like crazy to get back on track. So nice to see.
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) May 19, 2018

The bad news: Novak Djokovic is out of the top 20. The good news: this could be a good opportunity to create a World Tour Finals event for players ranked 20-28. I'd watch. pic.twitter.com/exIYfeNphz
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) May 19, 2018

How much tennis has missed this rivalry! So much nostalgia 🤟🏽 #Rafa #Nole
— Vaibhav Manocha (@BeingMinchu) May 19, 2018

In their 51st meeting (and their 1st in just over a year), @RafaelNadal d. Novak Djokovic 76(4) 63 in the SF at @InteBNLdItalia. Nadal inches closer to leveling their head-to-head, which Djokovic still leads 26-25. Nadal must win the #IBI18 title to reclaim World No.1 on Monday.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) May 19, 2018