'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played out a quarterfinal for the ages at the 2022 French Open, battling for over fours before the Spaniard sealed a win in four sets. With a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) victory, the Spaniard improved his head-to-head record against Djokovic to 29-30 and is one win short of levelling the rivalry.
The World No. 1 was the favorite heading into the contest but on Tuesday night, he was no match for the Mallorcan as his title defense came to an end.
Messages of congratulations from fans on social media have been pouring in for the 21-time Grand Slam champion from the moment the encounter drew to a close.
Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Rod Laver was among the most high-profile names to hail the World No. 5, saying he hoped the Spaniard could go on to win a record-extending 14th title on the claycourts of Paris this weekend. Laver also congratulated Djokovic for making the clash a memorable one.
Trending
"59 times over 17 years, the Novak and Rafa chronicle is as thrilling as ever. What a delight to witness another installment on Philippe Chatrier tonight. Congratulations on this occasion, Rafael Nadal. The quest for 14 French Open titles continues. Incredible," Laver tweeted.
Former World No. 3 Pam Shriver, who was hosting a live Twitter Space on behalf of the Tennis Channel, hailed the duo for delivering an "amazing night of tennis." The American also added several clapping emojis to congratulate the 35-year-old on his triumph.
"What an amazing night of tennis! Rafa!" Shriver tweeted.
Patrick McEnroe also followed the match and lauded the Mallorcan for his incredible display against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
"Rafael Nadal everyone. Incroyable," McEnroe tweeted.
Like McEnroe, former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro also live tweeted about the encounter and praised the 21-time Grand Slam champion for outplaying an uncharacteristically error-prone Djokovic.
"Impressive Rafa, he played much better than Novak Djokovic, who made mistakes at key moments. Now looking for number 22," del Potro tweeted.
Tennis coach Brad Gilbert levied high praise on the duo, comparing their latest encounter at the French Open to the world-famous 'Thrilla in Manila' boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
"Still buzzing about that 4th set, what a comeback from Vamos-Rafa vs Djoker. #59 [between these two] was like Ali vs Frazier Thriller in Manila," Gilbert tweeted.
Rafael Nadal takes on Alexander Zverev for a place in the final of the French Open
Up next, Rafael Nadal will square off against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the 2022 French Open. The German defeated teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in the quarterfinals to book a meeting with the Spaniard.
Their head-to-head is currently 6-3 in favor of the Mallorcan and 4-1 on clay. A victory against the World No. 3 would very likely see the 21-time Major winner take on either Andrey Rublev or Casper Ruud in the final, where he would be attempting to win a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam.
Also Check Out :- French Open 2022 Schedule
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
