5 greatest Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic encounters

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 13:  Rafael Nadal of Spain is congratulated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia after winning the semi-finals match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Nadal and Djokovic have a good chance of locking horns in the semi-finals of the French Open

#2 2013 French Open semi-final

The 2013 French Open semi-final between Nadal and Djokovic is considered to be one of the greatest clay-court matches ever

Nadal did not have the best of starts to his French Open campaign in 2013 as he dropped a set each in his first two matches. However, he played more convincingly from the third round, winning his next three matches in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.

In the semis, Nadal was up against top seed Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2012 final which Nadal had won in four sets. The southpaw looked in good nick in the first set as he won it 6-4 but Djokovic bounced back well to win the second set 6-3 and level the match.

Nadal breezed past the Serb to take the third set 6-1 but Djokovic held his nerve and edged out the Spaniard to win the fourth set in a tiebreak. Djokovic looked the more dominant player during the fifth set as he managed to go a break up, but Nadal recovered to break back. Nadal eventually broke Djokovic to win the final set 9-7 and reach the final.

In the final, Nadal comfortably defeated his compatriot David Ferrer in straight sets to win his 8th French Open title, the most by any player, male or female. The Nadal-Djokovic semi-final that lasted 4 hours and 37 minutes, is widely regarded to be one of the greatest clay court matches ever.

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What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

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