Photos: End of an era? Nadal's French Open run ends with meek loss to Djokovic
It was almost like Nadal had given up, but he said post match that the loss wasn’t a big surprise - and that he had it coming.
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Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court after being defeated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's quarter-final match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, 3 June, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
A detailed view of Nadal's shoe and raquet ahead of his Men's quarter final match against Djokovic . The nine on the shoe indicates the number of French Open titles he has won — but he will have to wait another year for his 10th triumph. Getty Images
In a marathon 67-minute first set in their 44th career meeting, Djokovic raced into a 4-0 lead, allowing Nadal just four points. But the nine-time champion roared back to 4-4, finally finding his range with his trusty forehand. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
But Djokovic simply crushed the Spaniard in the next two sets — eventually winning 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It was almost like Nadal had given up, but he said post match that the loss wasn't a big surprise - and that he had it coming. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Nadal's 39-match winning streak at Roland Garros ended in feeble fashion, with a double-fault not one of the mind-boggling rallies the two gladiators have produced down the years. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Djokovic, who fired 45 winners to Nadal's 16, is now closer to a first French Open title and the completion of a career Grand Slam. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
For the Spaniard, it was the first time in his career he had lost the first two sets of a French Open match. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
"I'm gonna fight. I lost in 2009 and was not the end. I lost in 2015, and is not the end. I will do my best to be back to win. I will do my utmost to have more wins," Nadal said. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
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