Top 5 matches between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Wimbledon 2018 has been nothing short of a spectacle so far. Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer was knocked out in the quarter-finals by an inspired Kevin Anderson, who came back from two sets down and a match point down to send the no. 1 seed packing.

However, on the other side of the draw, a mouth-watering semi-final has been set up between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. While Djokovic saw through Kei Nishikori with relative ease, winning the match in 4 sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, Nadal played one of the best matches of the season so far as he prevailed in 5 sets over Juan Martin Del Potro, winning the match 7-5, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in over four hours.

Nadal and Djokovic will be meeting for the 52nd time in their career, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head 26-25. Nadal won their previous encounter at the 2018 Rome Masters, winning 7-6, 6-3.

The two have played some memorable matches over the years. Let's take a look at the 5 best encounters between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

#5 French Open Final, 2014

A year after the epic encounter between Nadal and Djokovic at the semifinal stage of Roland Garros, they took on each other in the final in 2014.

Djokovic took the first set 6-3 and was on course to avenge his defeat he suffered the previous year. However, Nadal made a strong comeback in the second set to win it 7-5.

There was no turning back from there as he won the third and fourth set with relative ease to win his ninth Roland Garros title and his 14th Grand Slam title. This was to be his last Grand Slam until 2017.

Result: Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4

#4 Queen's Final, 2008

Amidst all their epic encounters over the past 7-8 years or so, this match seems a forgotten one.

Shortly before Nadal defeated Federer at Wimbledon in one of the greatest finals of all-time, he took on Djokovic at the final at Queens Club in England in an extremely high-octane clash.

Nadal ended up on top, defeating Djokovic in straight sets in their first final on grass. However, the match was not short on enternainment, with both the players producing some jaw-dropping tennis. Djokovic had the chance to serve for the second set as well but was broken by Nadal.

Result: Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic 7-6, 7-5

#3 Madrid Masters Semi-Final, 2009

In the longest ever three-set match till-date, Rafael Nadal outwitted Novak Djokovic in four hours and three minutes on the clay of Madrid.

Seeking his first win over Nadal on clay, Djokovic came extremely close to doing so but was stopped by the ruthlessness of Nadal.

The Serb won the first set 6-3 and held his serve till the tie-break in the second set as well but Nadal earned a vital mini-break in the tie-break to seal the second set. Djokovic was leading 3-1 in the decider but was broken back by Nadal.

In fact, he had three match points as well but failed to convert them as Nadal went on to win the match.

Unfortunately, Nadal lost the final to Roger Federer in straight sets.

Result: Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6, 7-6

#2 French Open Semi-Final, 2013

Four years since the epic encounter in Madrid, Djokovic was still seeking his first ever win on clay against Nadal.

Once again, he came agonisingly close to doing so but was stopped by the Spaniard at the very end. The match was intense and filled with some incredible shot-making. They split the first four sets amongst themselves and Djokovic was up a break in the final set.

However, he touched the net on another break point opportunity which would have allowed him to serve for the match. Instead, the mistake led to Nadal holding his serve and breaking Djokovic back. He eventually went on to win the final set 9-7.

Djokovic suffered heart-break once again. It was only in 2015 that he got his revenge, ending Nadal's 39 match win streak at the French Open, defeating him in straight sets at the quarter-finals.

Result: Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 (3) 9-7

#1 Australian Open Final, 2012

This was the longest Grand Slam final of all-time at 5 hours and 53 minutes. Djokovic came out on top in five sets in one of the greatest matches of all time.

The match went well beyond midnight with both players giving it their all right till the very end. Nadal won the first set 7-5 but Djokovic came back fighting to win the second and the third sets. The third one was relatively easy for the Serb as he broke Nadal's serve twice and dropped just two points on his serve.

Djokovic had the advantage in the fourth set tiebreak as well but Nadal fought back to take the set. The Spaniard was up a break in the final set but Djokovic clawed his way back to level the score at 4-4. He broke Nadal in the 5-5 and then served out the match to win the final set 7-5.

Result: Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5