Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic: 10 unmissable records broken by Spaniard at French Open QF

Tennis great Rafael Nal earned a monumental victory over Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic in quarterfinal of French Open 2022. much-anticipated battle between two all-time greats lasted over four hours, as it began at around 12:15 AM IST on Tuesday, and finished after 5 AM IST on Wednesday. Nal started off with a first-set win before Novak Djokovic me a strong comeback in second.

Rafael Nal n reasserted himself with an impressive third set triumph, as World No. 1 seemed strongest at start of fourth set. However, Nal later saved two set points, denying Djokovic an attempt to serve and force a decider.

Australian Open champion powered to victory in a one-sided tie-break and won match with scores of 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). Spaniard, who turns 37 on June 3, defeated his long-time rival to reach semi-finals at Roland Garros and shattered many records. 

Nal vs Djokovic: All records broken by Spaniard

• By winning game, Nal improved his he-to-he record against Djokovic to 29-30. 
• Spaniard ended Djokovic’s nine-match win streak ahe of tournament, as Djokovic won 22 straight sets, dating back to ATP Masters 1000 victory in Rome.
• Nal also ended Djokovic’s 11-match win streak at French Open, which matches his longest streak in Paris (2016-17).
• Nal now holds a win/loss record of 8-2 against Djokovic at French Open.
• Meanwhile, Nal also stands a chance to win his 14th Roland Garros title and 22nd major crown. He is due to face Alexander Zverev in semi-final on Friday. Zverev defeated Carlos Alcaraz in quarter-final to vance into next round.

• quarter-final clash between Nal and Djokovic was first meeting between two players in open era who have at least 20 Grand Slams singles titles each in ir bag. Djokovic won his 20th Grand Slam title during Wimbledon Championships 2021, while Nal won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title by winning Australian Open 2022.
• At same time, it was also first time that two players with more than 300 Grand Slam wins and 1,000 career match wins played against each or. Djokovic and Nal have 327 and 302 Grand Slam wins to ir name, alongside 1055 and 1005 career wins respectively.

• 21-time Grand Slam winner improved his overall season record in 2022 to 28-3, following his win at Roland Garros quarter-final. He has won three calendar titles by winning at Melbourne in January, before picking up Australian Open 2022, and Mexican Open 2022 titles. He now has chance of picking up his 22nd Grand Slam title by winning French Open 2022. 
• 35-year-old, as per ATP website, has now won consecutive matches of more than four hours. Nal defeated  Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday in fourth round match, which lasted for four hours and 20 minutes. Meanwhile, quarterfinal match on Tuesday night lasted for four hours and 11 minutes.

(Image: AP)