The 2 gamers, who’ve gained 15 of the final 17 French Open titles, will meet once more on Tuesday within the quarterfinals in what is likely one of the most anticipated matches of the event.
They’ve confronted one another 59 instances — greater than some other two males within the sport’s skilled period — and are comparatively evenly matched; Nadal leads the grand slam depend by one with 21 titles whereas Djokovic leads the head-to-head 30-28.
On clay, the rivalry is extra lopsided in favor of Nadal who has gained seven matches in comparison with Djokovic’s two.
Such has been Nadal’s dominance at this event that his fourth-round victory over Félix Auger-Aliassime yesterday was simply the third time in his profession that he has been taken to 5 units at Roland Garros.
However, in that fifth set, he showcased his brilliance on clay. At two units and three video games all, a flicker of a break level appeared for Nadal as he discovered himself 15-30 up throughout Auger-Aliassime’s service recreation.
With two extraordinary passing photographs, Nadal broke the younger Canadian and wrapped up the match with little incident afterwards.
High seed and world No. 1 Djokovic, in the meantime, breezed by to the quarterfinals with a 6-1 6-3 6-3 win over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.
It continued his good begin to the event wherein he has but to drop a set.
“Clearly, a well-anticipated match, I believe, when the draw got here out, for lots of people,” Djokovic mentioned, waiting for his quarterfinal in opposition to Nadal.
“I am glad that I did not spend an excessive amount of time on the courtroom myself as much as quarterfinals, realizing that taking part in him in Roland Garros is all the time a bodily battle, together with all the things else.
“[It’s] an enormous problem and doubtless the most important one which you could have right here in Roland Garros. I am prepared for it.”
“In fact, we all know one another properly. We have now plenty of historical past collectively,” Nadal mentioned after his fourth-round win.
“Right here we’re in Roland Garros. It’s my favourite place, indubitably. I do not know what is going on to occur, however the one factor I can assure is I’m going to battle till the tip.”
In such a fierce rivalry, each element carries added significance. For the primary time this 12 months, event organizers have scheduled a night session which may affect the match’s consequence.
Nadal favors the hotter circumstances in the course of the day when the courtroom is quicker whereas Djokovic prefers the colder and slower nighttime.
The order of play is about to be introduced on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev will meet within the different quarterfinal within the high half of the draw.
