HIGHLIGHTS

• Novak Djokovic is only the 2nd player to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros
• Nadal has a 108-3 record at the Roland Garros
• Djokovic became the first man to take 2 sets off Nadal at French Open since 2015

World number one Novak Djokovic came from a set down in a spellbinding French Open 2021 semi-final to inflict only a third ever defeat on the Parisian clay for Rafa Nadal, moving through 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 in front of mesmerised crowd on Friday.

The two superstars produced superhuman tennis as the 58th duel between them arguably rivalled anything they had conjured against each other since they first locked horns in 2006.

Nadal, bidding for a record-extending 14th French Open title, won the first five games and looked on course to repeat his drubbing of the Serbian in last year’s final.

The epic encounter has also produced some exciting records, while also breaking some at the same time. The following numbers are as mind-boggling as some of the shots from Nadal and Djokovic.

1- Novak Djokovic the first man to beat Rafael Nadal twice at Roland Garros

1- This is the first time Rafael Nadal has lost a match after winning the first set at Roland Garros

2- Novak Djokovic only 2nd player to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros

3- Friday’s loss was Nadal’s 3rd defeat in French Open. He has a 108-3 record in Paris

6- Djokovic became the first man to take 2 sets off Nadal at French Open since 2015

13- Nadal’s perfect record in French Open semi-finals ended on Friday. He won 13 on the trot before Friday.

29- Djokovic went past Nadal on the list of players with most appearances in Grand Slam men’s singles finals. Federer holds the record with 31 appearances.

30- Djokovic extended his head-to-head record to 30-28 against his ‘biggest rival’ Nadal after the semi-final win on Friday.