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Preview: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be facing each other for the 56th time when they play in the French Open final to close the unusual 2020 Grand Slam season. That is the most meetings between two men in the sport’s professional era. Djokovic leads 29-26 overall. Nadal leads 6-1 at Roland Garros, a tournament he has won 12 times. If Nadal gets No. 13, that would give him 20 Grand Slam titles total, tying Roger Federer’s record for men. Djokovic is trying to become the first man among the Big Three to own two trophies from each Grand Slam tournament. He has 17 in all. So either Nadal will pull even with Federer for the first time since they were tied with zero apiece, or Djokovic will gain on the leading duo and the totals will read 20-19-18. Djokovic is ranked No. 1 and is 37-1 this season. Nadal is No. 2 and is 99-2 in his French Open career. Djokovic said about Nadal: “He’s definitely my greatest rival.” And Nadal called Djokovic “one of the toughest opponents possible.” (With AP inputs)
French Open 2020, Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, Men's Final Match Highlights: Nadal wins 13th Roland Garros title
Novak Djokovic takes on Rafael Nadal in the final of French Open 2020. Follow live score and updates from the last day of Roland Garros.
 "French Open 2020, Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, Men's Final Match Highlights: Nadal wins 13th Roland Garros title")
Swiatek, Nadal the French Open champions
On the women’s side we had the first Grand Slam winner in the form of Iga Swiatek. On the men’s it was a repeat of Rafael Nadal show for a staggering 13th French Open title. Pity that it had to come in front of a few fans but it is something afterall. With unpredictability of the year, we don’t know which tournaments will go on. For now, let’s cherish this – the way Nadal does his time in Paris. Au revoir!
Histoire d’amour à Paris
Pure joy 😍@RafaelNadal #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/b9k9aR9q5P
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020
CHAMPION!
The moment 1️⃣3️⃣ became a reality.@RafaelNadal #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/r2M9g5f9AY
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020
Nadal on the podium
“Congratulations to everyone in Novak’s team. Winning this year in Australia, Cincinnati and more now… I have had tough battles with you and hope to keep facing you for the next couple of years. All the best and good luck with the future.”
“I want to again thank everyone for making this event possible. We are very lucky that we can keep playing our sport. Thanks for supporting this sport, organising this tournament.”
“All the team, family who are not here. Without you nothing would be possible. Many many thanks for everything”
“For me winning here is out of my better thoughts. Super happy. This court is most important in my career. I have enjoyed special moments here and today I had one more. This year, we can’t celebrate in a normal way. Merci beacoup! Hopefully in June we can celebrate in this stadium, Philippe Chatrier, with a full crowd.”
Djokovic on the podium
“Huge congratulations to Rafa, your team and family. What you’ve done on this surface is.. Today you showed you’re King of the Clay. I am not pleased with how I played but I was overplayed. This situation is very tough and we’re grateful to everyone who made this tournament possible. Thank you so much for that”
“Thanks to the public and everyone for all their support.”
SPOT THE L!
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 11, 2020
Rafael Nadal is 100-2 at #RolandGarros.
Sheer dominance.
LIVE: https://t.co/pX7UbrBatr pic.twitter.com/0qVCkN1SW4
Nadal speaks to Fabrice Santoro:
“First of all, congrats to Novak for another great tournament. Sorry for today. He killed me in Australia. For me today, that’s part of the game. One day he wins, the other day I do. Best of luck Novak for the future.”
“After all the things I have gone through in my career, with injuries, without family and team, nothing will be possible. There are some at home who couldn’t come for this. I want to send a message to everyone that we’re facing a tough moment. Just keep going, stay positive, we will get through this and be winners.”
“It has been a very tough year but a win here means everything to me. Today isn’t about 20th Grand Slam, for me this is about the French Open title. I want to thank everyone – the organisation, the crowd. For me playing here is important, the relationship I have with this city.. Merci!”
100-2!
Rafael Nadal goes into the crowd to celebrate with his time. He now improves his record at French Open to 100-2. His first title came in 2005.
Nadal wins 13th French Open, 20th Grand Slam title
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 40 minutes to win his 13th French Open title and go level with Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles. Four straight titles in Roland Garros for Nadal!
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 5-7 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Two quick-fire points going Rafa’s way. The second a cheap point with Djokovic unable to get the return back. A forehand into the net and Nadal has three championship points. ACE!
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 5-6 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic serving in this crucial game. After missing a backhand on the first point, he smacks a winner. Short ball from Nadal and Novak had to generate the prace himself to beat Nadal on the baseline. A wry smile from Djokovic with a smash winner from the baseline. Nadal with incredible defensive lob there. This backhand, however, is into the net for 30-30. Djokovic with a forehand going long and that’s break point for Rafa. The second serve is called in by the linesman but it is wide, says Rafa. Chair umpire and HawkEye confirms it. NADAL BREAKS!
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6, 5-5 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal holds after dropping a point and Djokovic is not happy with losing his footing. He was losing his footing in the match against Tsitsipas as well and expressed his displeasure then too.
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 5-4 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
A HUGE roar from Novak Djokovic. The crowd applauds and cheers “Novak! Novak! Novak!” with Nadal’s serve return going wide to make it 40-30. The consistency, however, has been missing. An unforced error brings the game to deuce. Nadal picks up the drop shot, which had air but Rafa was well behind the baseline, gets back around to force Djokovic into a backhand smash which sets up comfortably for a winner. A crucial break point. And saved! Djokovic with a backhand that slightly catches out Nadal and his defensive return goes wide. Serve and volley winner on deuce for Djokovic. Smart play there. Holds! Smashes it away into the open court and Djokovic has done exceptionally to get himself out of this precarious position
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6, 4-4 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic with a quick service hold and Novak playing much better suddenly. Like weight being lifted off of him. Takes the touch into the Nadal serve to hit blistering groundstrokes. On the run, he sends a forehand over the high part of the net which kisses the baseline. A 142kmph forehand that. But misses a forehand on the next.
HOW BAFFLINGLY GOOD IS THIS DROP SHOT?
Just. How. Good. Is. Rafael. Nadal?! 😱#RolandGarros
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 11, 2020
(📽️ - @rolandgarros)
LIVE: https://t.co/pX7UbrBatr pic.twitter.com/MObH6YsADO
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6, 3-3 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal with a missed forehand and a scrappy game from the Spaniard gives Djokovic a break point. Just the fourth of the match for him. Djokovic with a well-placed drop shot and still not enough to win the point. Nadal picks it up and Djokovic’s half volley return is wide. Another chance for Djokovic as the crowd erupts. Nadal with another groundstroke going long. Second break point of the game for Novak. Djokovic with a backhand winner and he finally gets the BREAK! Novak breaks for the first time this match and finally, finally some sort of reaction from him as he urges the crowd to make more noise.
And it doesn’t look like it’s coming either.
Nadal two sets and a break up at 3-2 in the third set.
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) October 11, 2020
Djokovic yet to break serve. This has only happened ONCE before for him in a completed grand slam match (vs Lleyton Hewitt at the 2006 US Open). #RolandGarros
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 2-3 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic once again in trouble. Nadal with a sublime top-spin heavy forehand winner and then Djokovic with an error. At 0-40, and three break points, Djokovic with a rushed backhand into the net. A love BREAK! Nadal within three games of a 13th French Open title.
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6, 2-2 Nadal (* denotes next server)
30-30. Crowd on his side. Chance for Djokovic to get something. But Nadal closes the door and holds with a half volley winner. As one does.
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 2-1 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic throwing the kitchen sink at Nadal. Thundering, big groundstrokes but the ball keeps coming back. Nadal finally misses and then does Djokovic to bring up break point. Uncharacteristic miss from Nadal. Goes for too much with the deep shots and it lands long. An angle serve out wide and Djokovic has the option to move up and does for a simple volley putaway. Another miss from Nadal. A miss in Nadal’s world that, by the way. Looks to find the court with a backhand straight down but it goes long.
Fair question ask. Anyone got a clue?
How many winners do you need to hit in a point to win a point against Rafa on clay??
— Sanam (@sanamksingh) October 11, 2020
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6, 1-1 Nadal (* denotes next server)
The crowd raising their voice to up Djokovic on. But on court it is Nadal who is dictating terms. Finds the sideline with a gorgeous winner and an ace to bring up game point. Djokovic controlling play from the back and Nadal’s defensive forehand goes long. But Rafa gets the hold eventually as Djokovic’s serve return goes long
Djokovic 0-6, 2-6, 1-0 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
For the first time in this match, Djokovic leads a set. And he’s made to work for it on game point. Goes on either sides of the court and Nadal is on the run, the defensive shot sees a smash put away. Crowd celebrates! They want this to go on for longer. As do we!
After two sets, Djokovic has 25 winners to Nadal’s 21. The unforced errors column reads 30 for Novak and 6 (SIX) for Nadal.
Almost 2 sets. About an hour and 30. Rafa has missed 2 returns? And made 4 errors?
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) October 11, 2020
Ha
Ha
Ha
Second set: Nadal 6-2
Rafael Nadal takes a commanding two sets to love lead. Takes the second 6-2 in 47 minutes. Nadal with just six unforced errors at the end of the second set. A fourth straight title draws nearer for Rafa…
Djokovic* 0-6, 2-6 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal quickly brings up three set points. Misses one with a double fault. And a second after being forced into an error by Djokovic. A time violation warning for Nadal. But not a third chance. Djokovic with a missed backhand return and Nadal takes the second set.
Incredible level from Nadal today. He’s played lights out!
Rafael Nadal just cannot be human. 👽#RolandGarros
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 11, 2020
(📽️ - @rolandgarros)
LIVE: https://t.co/pX7UbrBatr pic.twitter.com/UmREAj6NUY
Djokovic 0-6, 2-5 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal misses the sideline on the backhand cross court and Djokovic gets a second game on the board after nearly 90 minutes of play. Djokovic with a bit of celebratory look at the heavens as Nadal’s shot landed just wide in the game.
Djokovic* 0-6, 1-5 Nadal (* denotes next server)
For a change, a player holds to love. A forehand winner down the line and that is remarkably the first love game of this match.
Djokovic 0-6, 1-4 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic with a gorgeous forehand drop shot from the baseline that catches Nadal out and it is 30-30.Uh-oh! Double fault gives Nadal a break point again and Djokovic closes it out quickly with a 190kmph ace. What more can Djokovic do?! Drop, perfect lob, moving Rafa side to side and then again a drop but Nadal slides and finds the angle for a winner. Not even luck going Djokovic’s way with the ball hitting the net and landing wide. DOUBLE BREAK!
Stat to highlight this match has been closer than what the scoreline suggests.
🎾 Eight of the first 10 games went to deuce. @RafaelNadal won seven of those and saved all three break points.#RolandGarros
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 11, 2020
Djokovic* 0-6, 1-3 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Nadal has two game points after Djokovic misses a deep groundstroke. Novak not happy but HawkEye highlights that it did go long. Two winners from Djokovic and he brings the game to deuce. Meanwhile, outside it is sunny once again. The roof, however, will remain closed. Nadal gets in position, bends his knees and whips a forehand winner cross court to bring up game point once again. Holds as Djokovic misses a simple, routine forehand which landed inside the service box. On another day…
Djokovic 0-6, 1-2 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
This is insane hitting from Nadal. He gets a backhand winner cross court and then down the line to go 0-30 up. A 137kmph backhand winner that caught Djokovic wrong-footed. Novak gets the serve out wide and the short return is dispatched by the World No. 1. A drop shot-lob combination once again from Novak and this time it brings about a simple putaway. Djokovic goes for too much on the forehand and it goes long. Break point for Nadal. Djokovic pings both sidelines. One with a mishit and then a forehand winner into the extreme corner. On to deuce, Djokovic finds the top of the net with the forehand and that’s the fourth break point for Rafa in this set. Djokovic with a big serve and equally big backhand that sees Nadal find the net. Djokovic with the drop shot and Nadal slides into it for a winner. Third break point. And that does it. BREAK! Djokovic looks to go cross court on the forehand but is unable to clear the net.
Djokovic* 0-6, 1-1 Nadal (* denotes next server)
Rafael Nadal holds from 15-30 down to level the second set. Djokovic is not pleased with something in his game. To be honest, it would be tough to take a guess considering not a lot is going right for him.
Stat!
Last time someone won a Grand Slam having lost the first set 0-6 in the final was Gaston Gaudio at the 2004 French Open. He beat Guillermo Coria in that final.
The zip in those Rafa forehands. WOW!
Spare a thought for the person who has to pick which shots make it into the highlight reel of this match, both Nadal and Djokovic have been oozing class all evening. #RolandGarros
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 11, 2020
(📽️ - @rolandgarros)
LIVE: https://t.co/pX7UbrBatr pic.twitter.com/OEbyVVlIrH
Djokovic 0-6, 1-0 *Nadal (* denotes next server)
Djokovic has his serve in trouble once again. Saves two break points early. Forces Nadal into making an error on the backhand wing to bring the game to deuce. Djokovic goes for too much on the forehand and misses the attempted winner off the sideline. Another break point then. And this is saved too. Djokovic with more power and zip in that forehand for a winner. Djokovic now has a chance to hold after Nadal misses but so does Novak on game point. A good first serve from Djokovic and the angle is far too much for Nadal to comfortably get it back. Djokovic finally gets on the board. Novak with a deep return from half way into the court and it is right at Nadal’s feet to pick up. It has taken almost an hour for Djokovic to get a game. Not a sentence one would have expected to write earlier.
Accurate
Nadal in that first set#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/4vyKqEYnOF
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 11, 2020
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