2007 Roland Garros - In his first Grand Slam semifinal, Novak Djokovic faced Rafa Nadal in Paris. They were the only player with more than 40 ATP wins at that moment of the 2017 season. The Mallorcan had not lost a set but Djokovic for the opening set played his backhand and came back from 2-5 to 5-5. He saved two set points but lost in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2. Nadal became the second player in Roland Garros history to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles. Nadal d. Djokovic 75 64 62 2007 Wimbledon - Novak Djokovic suffered from a blister infection, the result of his five-hour five-set match against Marcos Baghdatis. He didn't sleep the night before his semi-final clash against Nadal, “because I had a lot of bleeding and everything, so I was barely walking this morning. I did my best to get on the court really because I was thinking, should I go and play? It was that serious” he said in the press conference. With Nadal leading 3-6 6-1 4-1, he decided he could not continue. Djokovic was the first person to retire from a Wimbledon semi-final. Nadal d. Djokovic 36 61 41 ret. 2007 Rogers Cup - "This is one of the biggest wins of my career," said Djokovic after beating Nadal in Montreal. "I won against him in Miami on this surface and tonight played some impressive tennis." Djokovic went into the semi-final with a 1-5 career record against the Spaniard but broke in the 12th game to take the opening set and again in the eighth game of the second. “I go into the match with some positive thoughts. And I managed to be aggressive from the start, and I knew that I have to be in control in the match” he added. “I knew that here I have more chances than him. He was struggling on his serves, his service game, especially in that first set, and it was just a matter of time when I could break him. So I managed to do that in the most important moment in the first and the second set”. Having knocked out No.3 Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals, he completed his best tournament to-date defeating Roger Federer in the title-match. He was the seventh player to take home the Rogers Cup title in their first appearance at the event. He became also the first player since Boris Becker at Stockholm in 1994 to defeat the Top 3 players in the ATP Rankings at the same tournament. Djokovic d. Nadal 75 63 2008 Pacific Life Open - Novak Djokovic struck eight aces and 20 winners to 11 to beat defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2. In the first set Djokovic came back from a break down and broke again to 5-3 with a net cord winner. That was the turning point of the match, he said. “I played really well. I -- think tactically-wise I played really smart. And I knew that I had to be aggressive and take the control, take over the control of the match, try to go for the shots, which I did. A bit too much in the start of the match. Anyhow, looking in the general stats of the match, I was really playing well and serving well. That is the base. It was really important”. Djokovic d. Nadal 63 62 2008 Masters Series Hamburg -With the retractable roof at the Rothenbaum closed to keep out the rain, 2007 finalist Nadal saved 15 of 19 break points against him and broke serve in the first and seventh games of the deciding set. The Spaniard sealed victory on his fifth match point when Djokovic netted an attempted drop shot to finish an incredible final game lasting more than 15 minutes. "It was an amazing match," said Nadal, whom Djokovic defined as the greatest defensive player of all time. "It was unfortunate it finished as a loss for me but I have to take the positives out of the match," he said. "I feel that with this performance and the match in general I am getting closer to him on clay and hopefully next time I can get a win." Nadal d. Djokovic 75 26 62 2008 Roland Garros - Rafa Nadal admitted he had produced a near-perfect performance to become the first player since Ivan Lendl to reach four consecutive finals at Roland Garros. “I was not expecting to play at this level” he said. “I was very dominant, I could put the ball anywhere I wanted. I was dominating both on my forehand and backhand, and I didn’t think that I could make mistakes. That was key.” Djokovic managed to grab a set point in the third set, but Nadal chased down every ball and extended to 27 consecutive matches his unbeaten streak in Paris claiming a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3) win“The first two sets were very bad,” admitted Djokovic, who suffered 8 losses in his first 11 meetings with Nadal. “I had no rhythm and was hitting too many unforced errors. Then I decided to go for my shots and try everything or nothing. He showed once again that he is very strong mentally. He’s the best defensive player in the world and plays every point as if it’s match point. The better player won today.” Nadal d. Djokovic 64 62 76(3) 2008 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters – When he faced Djokovic in the semifinals in Cincinnati, Nadal new he would officially become the No. 1 for the first time on August 18. “I just tried not to think about his winning streak and his new ranking spot” said Djokovic. “But, you know, I tried just to focus on my game. I won against him three times before on this surface, and I know what it takes to win against him on hard courts. I got the best out of it in last couple of matches we played in this surface. I knew that I have to step in and be aggressive”. Djokovic took him by surprised as he rushed to a 5-0 lead in the opening set.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Nadal and Djokovic will battle it out for a place in the final and the winner of this titanic tie is expected to go on and win the title. Tournament favourite Roger Federer suffered a shock exit in the semi-finals so Nadal and Djokovic are now hoping to take advantage of his defeat. The pair are fighting to face the winner of John Isner and Kevin Anderson, who are first on Centre Court, on Sunday. Djokovic and Nadal are second on the main stage, where action will get underway at 1pm – but what time are they expected on court?<doc-sep>Meanwhile Djokovic was a little less flashy but no less effective. He has clearly reached the point where he has total faith in his body again, after the elbow struggles that afflicted him last year. You could tell that from the first game, as he leapt into a lassoo forehand from the school of Nadal with total freedom and fluidity. Djokovic’s backhand, meanwhile, was in a class of its own. To avoid being pushed back by Nadal, you have to be able to take his viciously loaded forehand on the rise, even when he fires it deep into your backhand wing, and Djokovic is the master here. There was no doubt who had fought out the tougher quarter-final. Nadal had required 4hr 48min to subdue Juan Martin del Potro in a match that Andy Murray, commentating for the BBC, described as the best he had ever seen live. This probably explains why Nadal didn’t quite find his all-court press in the first set. He looked like a man working his way up to optimal operating temperature, and he left too many short balls for Djokovic to feast on with flat, driven groundstrokes into the corners. But just as Nadal found solutions against del Potro on Wednesday – when he came forward and used his volleys and drop-shots to break up the violence of the baseline exchanges – so he came up with an answer last night. This time it was his forehand down the line, which he hits with both feet pointing straight up the court in defiance of the coaching textbook. Time after time, he threaded the ball over the high part of the net for a winner. The third-set tie-break was a ripper, as both men did all they could to avoid the nightmarish prospect of a night spent sleeping on a one-set deficit. The drop shots flowed from both ends now, creating the sort of variety that Anderson and Isner, for all their qualities, could only dream of. But it was that Djokovic backhand that claimed the final point of the evening, as he drew a forced error from Nadal with a ball speared up the line.<doc-sep>Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic semi final preview FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic LIVE (*denotes serve) *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 8-10 Novak Djokovic - DJOKOVIC WINS! Novak Djokovic is through to the Wimbledon final! He punishes a poor Nadal second serve after earning three match points. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 8-9 Novak Djokovic* A couple of times this afternoon the ball has come off the side of Nadal's racket. It happens again before Djokovic holds serve. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 8-8 Novak Djokovic Edge of your seat stuff as both players flirt with the outside of the court with shots just touching the lines. Djokovic takes a 15-30 lead and Nadal volleys level but he then hits a backhand wide to hand the Serbian the first match point. But Nadal produces an exquisite drop shot when it matters the most to keep himself in the match before acing his way to victory. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 7-8 Novak Djokovic* Two breakpoints for Nadal as Djokovic makes a double fault. The first is rescued by the Serbian, who forces his opponent to make a mistake, and an ace brings up deuce. Nadal challenges the next point as his long pass is called out - and the decision is reversed for a second breakpoint! The world No 1 looks to finally break as he pushes towards the net but Djokovic digs a magnificent a shot out of nowhere to save his serve before holding. A double first-pump from the world No 21 as he wins that game - the relief spills out! *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 7-7 Novak Djokovic Nadal puts a drop shot into the net and 'ooo' is the reaction from the Centre Court crowd. An unreturned serve pulls it back to 15-all but the Spaniard overhits his next effort for 15-30. Djokovic does not even get a look-in during the next three points as Nadal levels. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 6-7 Novak Djokovic* All it takes is for one of these players to have a couple of off serves and this match will all be over. But for now that looks unlikely to happen and Djokovic holds to 15. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 6-6 Novak Djokovic Nadal races to 30-love and Djokovic hits a wonderful forehand winner to halve the deficit. The world No 1 wins the next two points to tie again. I really hope these two are not trying to beat Anderson and Isner's record of 26-24 yesterday. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 5-6 Novak Djokovic* A challenge apiece in the 11th game and the players were correct on each occasion. Djokovic blasts his way into back in front with only one point dropped. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 5-5 Novak Djokovic The intensity has been cranked right up now as every point is cheered more and more. Djokovic takes a surprise love-30 lead but Nadal fights back to hold serve with two aces. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 4-5 Novak Djokovic* Huge opportunity for Nadal as he works his way to 15-40 with two breakpoints. Two big serves followed - one ace and one unreturned - to take the game to deuce. Djokovic holds with an across-court backhand winner. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 4-4 Novak Djokovic Grumbles from the crowd as Nadal sends a second serve into the net for 15-30 but his next delivery is pinpoint and unreturnable. The pair battle to deuce where Djokovic earns the first breakpoint of the set but he is unable to return Nadal's thunderous serve. Nadal brings Djokovic into the net on the next point, then sends him to the back of the court with a lob before striking a backhand winner. He then holds after a nervy game. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic live updates Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 3-4 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic drops just the one point and he moves to within two points of the match. The Serbian will be grateful he is serving first as Nadal will constantly be playing catch-up. Four hours and 14 minutes on the clock so far and you expect this will go on for some time yet. We've not even had a breakpoint in the final set. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 3-3 Novak Djokovic Nadal begins with an ace before Djokovic fires beyond the baseline. A ferocious forehand across court sets up 40-love and he closes off with another ace, this time down the middle. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 2-3 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic challenges a double fault in the opening point but the call was correct as the ball landed out. He makes amends by winning the next four points in a row. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 2-2 Novak Djokovic Amazing start to the fourth game as Djokovic shows stunning reach to defend deep beyond the baseline, but when forced to react to a drop shot, he comes up just short after racing in-court. Nadal then serves out the game with a pair of aces. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 1-2 Novak Djokovic* Djokovic fires an ace out wide to close off another impressive service game with the loss of only one point. *Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 1-1 Novak Djokovic Decent opportunity for Djokovic but he fails to build on his early love-30 lead. Nadal produced a couple of big serves when it matters the most to level. Rafael Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-7(9) 6-3 0-1 Novak Djokovic* A clean service game from Djokovic as stays ahead in the tie by holding to love. Nadal took the match to a fifth set<doc-sep>
How to live stream Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks NADAL V DJOKOVIC - UPDATE ONE: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are on Centre Court right now bidding for a place in the Wimbledon 2018 men's final. The epic match began late last night after Kevin Anderson's marathon win over John Isner, meaning Nadal and Djokovic only took to the court at 8pm. And due to the Wimbledon 11pm curfew the match was stopped midway through. It's live now and if you want to know how to watch Nadal v Djokovic live online then here's how to stream the big match. ORIGINAL: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic meet on Centre Court this afternoon, with a place in the finals of Wimbledon 2018 at stake. The latest battle in this long-standing rivalry is expected to start at around 4.30pm. In the 51 meetings between the pair, Nadal holds 25 victories to Djokovic's 26 wins. Nadal reached the semi-final with a win over world number four Juan Martin del Potro. The match lasted almost five hours, as Nadal fought back to win within five sets. Djokovic, on the other hand, beat Kei Nishikori by three sets to one in their quarter-final clash. The winner will face either John Isner or Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon 2018 final on Sunday, July 15. If you want to watch all of the action from this highly anticipated Wimbledon 2018 semi-final, here’s how to tune in online.