Novak Djokovic outclassed Rafael Nadal as he carved a masterpiece against the clay king at the 2021 French Open semi-finals

It doesn’t get better than this. Two legends of the game trying to outplay each other throughout the night. And in the end it was the underdog (was he?) who emerged victorious.

Djokovic produced a stunning display to defeat Rafael Nadal in 4 sets in the semi-finals of the 2021 French Open.

After almost getting bageled in the first set (Nole dropped to 0-5), he gained momentum by winning three straight games, before Nadal won the set.

Nole held on to the momentum he picked up there and went berserk in one of the greatest displays of grit and panache.

He took the next one 6-3 to make it 1-1.

The third set was arguably one of the greatest sets witnessed in modern French Open history. The match kept switching sides like Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his prime. The drop shots played by both Nadal and Djokovic were ridiculously insane.

Djoker took the third set via. a tiebreaker. Nadal tried to make a strong comeback in the 4th set after going 2-0 up very quickly. Once again Djokovic switched on as Nadal began exhibiting tired legs.

The world no.1 won the next 6 games, to take the set and eventually the match. This match will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest displays of professional tennis.

This was Nadal’s only 3rd defeat in his entire French Open history, with his last defeat coming at the hands of Djokovic in 2015.

Twitterati in awe of the legendary tennis they just witnessed from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Tennis pros and fans were stunned by the magnificent display of tennis from two of the greatest players in history.

The match was so intriguing that even the French authorities decided to allow the crowd to stay in the stadium beyond the curfew (time limit).

A legion of fans and pros reacted to Nole’s victory:

You cannot play better clay court tennis than this. It’s perfect. 👏
@DjokerNole @RafaelNadal @rolandgarros

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 11, 2021

In awe of what we just witnessed for the past 4 hours @DjokerNole @RafaelNadal forever champs!!

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 11, 2021

That’s unreal from @DjokerNole

— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) June 11, 2021

Inspiring me to work out… ⁦@DjokerNole⁩ ⁦⁦@RafaelNadal⁩ 👏👏👏👏👏what a match !!! #multitasking pic.twitter.com/Ahudq1LIJ3

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) June 11, 2021

https://twitter.com/SerpentLeo/status/1403462747614892039

It’s been a good month for Jokers pic.twitter.com/3tpjpT67to

— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) June 11, 2021

We can’t believe our eyes

— Specsavers (@Specsavers) June 11, 2021

Murderer of legends. pic.twitter.com/82FlVYi6OL

— Fabián (@FabianC__) June 11, 2021

wow what amazing 🤩 win for Djoker taking out Vamos-Rafa simply the highest quality match 😎✅👍👊🎾

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) June 11, 2021

https://twitter.com/utdarka/status/1403465244488257541

https://twitter.com/UTDsakura/status/1403462999294169095

If anyone ever wants to know what “NOT GIVING UP” in sport means, plz switch on tele and watch these two legends play.If you’ve slept in India already,please watch this match in replay,Highlights will never ever do justice to this quality of tennis.#frenchopen2021 #NadalDjokovic

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 11, 2021

More Tennis news

• “Bold and quiet. Powerful and calm” – Naomi Osaka stuns in the perfect commercial for Nissan
• Novak Djokovic’s brother makes Roger Federer promise ahead of Serbian Open
• Naomi Osaka responds to botching Jennifer Brady’s name after AO Open final win

Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates