French Open: Rafael Nadal defeats old foe Novak Djokovic in epic encounter at Roland Garr's how

Rafael Nadal won a classic late-night battle with old foe Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.

 The Spaniard, looking for a 14th Roland Barros title, battled to a 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory over the defending champion and world No 1, in a match lasting four hours and 12 minutes which finished at 1.15 am local time.

 "A very tough match,'' said Naval. "Novak is one of the best players in history and playing against him is always an amazing challenge. Today was another one.

 "The only way to win against him is to play your best from the first point to the last. A magic night for me."

• •  Djokovic vs Naval: As it happened on Court Philippe Charier
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  •  The 13-time Roland Barros champion, beaten by the world No 1 in the semi-finals here last year, arrived in Paris on the back of injuries and a chronic foot problem that hampered his preparations.

     

     Having already survived a five-set thriller against Felix Auger Aliasing in the previous round, the Spaniard, who has only lost three times at the French Open since 2005, knows every inch of the immense court Philippe Charier and Djokovic paid for the reminder.

     Naval threw some early punches after coming hurtling out of the blocks. He had defending champion Djokovic on the ropes after winning the first 11 games, leading by a set and 3-0 with a double break.

  •  King of Clay

    
     Naval advances to his record-extending 15th Roland Barros semi-final.
    
     Naval improves to 110-3 at the French Open with his second straight four-hour+ victory and 20th win on clay over Djokovic.

     However, Naval's intensity dropped and Djokovic hauled himself level before restoring parity after claiming an 88-minute second set.

     But while the momentum appeared to be all his, the 35-year-old Naval, backed by a partisan crowd, had recalibrated and raced away with the third.

     Naval saved two set points on the Djokovic serve and, from 5-2 down, levelled the fourth set at 5-5.

     A match that had started in May was now being played in June. Into a tie-break and Naval roared into a 6-1 lead, Djokovic brought it back to 6-4, but a backhand winner brought the 59th meeting of these two greats to a climactic end.

  •  Naval will now meet German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in Sunday's final.

     "He was a better player, I think, in the important moments," said Djokovic. "He started very well. I didn't start so great.

     "I was gaining momentum, managed to win the second set and thought OK, you know, I'm back in the game.

     But then he had another two, three fantastic games at the beginning of the third. He was just able to take his tennis to another level in those.

     "He showed why he's a great champion. Staying there mentally tough and finishing the match the way he did."

  •  Zverev topples Alcatraz in fabulous encounter

  •  Spanish teenager Carlos Alcatraz's French Open title bid ended in a four-set defeat by Zverev.

     The 19-year-old was tipped by many as a potential winner this year, but he paid for a slow start to the match as third seed Zverev triumphed in a thrilling encounter 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7).

     

     "I knew I had to play my best tennis today, and I'm happy I did," said Zverev.

     "I told him at the net he will win this a lot of times, I just hope I win it before he starts."

     This was the first time the 25-year-old Zverev defeated a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam in 12 attempts, and his victory came against a player who came into the contest having won 14 consecutive matches.

     Alcatraz made 56 unforced errors as Zverev saved a set point in the fourth set tie-break before converting his second match point with a magnificent backhand return to reach his second straight semi-final at Roland Barros.

     Alcatraz's time will surely come, and sooner rather than later.

     He said: "I would say I finished the match playing better. I leave the court, leave the tournament with the head very high. I fought until the last ball. I fought until the last second of the match, and I'm proud of it."

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 There was disappointment for Britain in the men's doubles as top seeds Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram lost a match tie-break in their quarter-final against Ivan Do dig and Austin.