Novak Djokovic takes advantage into Saturday with Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will have to come back at 1pm this afternoon to finish their semi-final, after nine hours on Centre Court proved insufficient to complete two men’s matches.
When the roof arrived at Wimbledon in 2009, the agreement with Merton Council was that play could continue until 11pm but no longer. And after Kevin Anderson and John Isner smashed the record for the longest Centre Court match in history, Nadal and Djokovic were only able to start their own epic at a little after 8pm.
The crowd were understandably frustrated by the absence of a decisive verdict after 2hr 53min of play, which finished with Djokovic leading 6-4, 3-6, 7-6. But what a day of tennis they had witnessed. Even as we moved into the final moments, and announcements echoed around the grounds suggesting that patrons should consider their transport options, almost every seat remained filled.
This was what men’s tennis had been missing for the past 18 months, ever since the 2017 Australian Open final that represented the most recent best-of-five-set clash between two members of the Big Four.
There is nothing to match the texture and the class of these occasions. The Big Four do not have a monopoly on world-class tennis, but what they can offer is deep history – and no pair of players have ever had as much history as Djokovic and Nadal.
This was their 52nd meeting on the tour, and watching it felt like a first trip back to the sweet shop after giving up chocolate for lent. How we had missed this head-on collision of legends, David Attenborough – who sat enraptured in the Royal Box alongside fellow survival export Bear Grylls – can scarcely have seen many bigger beasts on his journeys around the blue planet.
The exalted level of some of these points is hard to convey, but Nadal – who was a little slow to find his range in the first set – finished the evening with the sort of highlights reel you would rarely see outside a visual effects department.
There were impossibly deft drop shots struck on a dead run, and sky-hooks from the school of basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Nadal even came up with multiple service winners on break-point down – the sort of thing you expect from a six-and-a-half-foot beanpoles but not the shortest man in the last four.
Meanwhile Djokovic was a little less flashy but no less effective. He has clearly reached the point where he has total faith in his body again, after the elbow struggles that afflicted him last year. You could tell that from the first game, as he leapt into a lassoo forehand from the school of Nadal with total freedom and fluidity.
Djokovic’s backhand, meanwhile, was in a class of its own. To avoid being pushed back by Nadal, you have to be able to take his viciously loaded forehand on the rise, even when he fires it deep into your backhand wing, and Djokovic is the master here.
There was no doubt who had fought out the tougher quarter-final. Nadal had required 4hr 48min to subdue Juan Martin del Potro in a match that Andy Murray, commentating for the BBC, described as the best he had ever seen live.
This probably explains why Nadal didn’t quite find his all-court press in the first set. He looked like a man working his way up to optimal operating temperature, and he left too many short balls for Djokovic to feast on with flat, driven groundstrokes into the corners.
But just as Nadal found solutions against del Potro on Wednesday – when he came forward and used his volleys and drop-shots to break up the violence of the baseline exchanges – so he came up with an answer last night. This time it was his forehand down the line, which he hits with both feet pointing straight up the court in defiance of the coaching textbook. Time after time, he threaded the ball over the high part of the net for a winner.
The third-set tie-break was a ripper, as both men did all they could to avoid the nightmarish prospect of a night spent sleeping on a one-set deficit. The drop shots flowed from both ends now, creating the sort of variety that Anderson and Isner, for all their qualities, could only dream of. But it was that Djokovic backhand that claimed the final point of the evening, as he drew a forced error from Nadal with a ball speared up the line.
See you tomorrow...
To be continued...#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/bgmIxkKaPB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018
Scores on the doors
Djokovic: 6 3 7(11)
Nadal: 4 6 6(9)
Tomorrow
So tomorrow play is expected to resume on centre court between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The Serb is up two sets to one and that match will preceed the ladies' final between Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams.
I hope you have all enjoyed this match as much as me, and we'll pick it up again tomorrow.
What a day
Friday 13th July has been a very lucky day indeed for tennis fans.
That match was brilliant.
Goodness me!
An epic rally ends with Nadal kicking himself. What a crucial turning point that could be... but it is all over for tonight.
Nadal gives the cheering crowd a big wave, as does Djokovic... what a day of tennis we have had.
Djokovic takes Tie Break: Djokovic 11-9 Nadal
WHICH HE TAKES!!!
Tie Break: Djokovic 10-9 Nadal
Nadal is absolutely furious with himself. He played a half volley drop shot and hands Novak set point on serve
It's now or never
says Boris Becker...
Tie Break: Djokovic 9-9 Nadal
Nadal faults the first serve and on the second, Djokovic blasts the return long.
It is now 11pm... they won't stop this now will they?
Tie Break: Djokovic 9-8 Nadal
Nadal hits a backhand long and it's not pretty... Djokovic has set point...Nadal to serve
Tie Break: Djokovic 8-8 Nadal
Big serve from Djokovic and he squares it up.
Set point Nadal
again...
What tennis
Four drop shots in seven points...goodness me
Tie Break: Djokovic 7-8 Nadal
Nadal on serve again and he hits it into the net. His second serve is down the middle and Djokovic opens up the court. Another long rally....and another dropshot....Nadal wins the point!
Tie Break: Djokovic 7-7 Nadal
He doesn't... and it counts against him as another long rally ends in a dropshot, but this time it's Novak who hits it. SEVEN ALL!!!
Serve it wide, Rafa
!!!
Tie Break: Djokovic 6-7 Nadal
Djokovic on serve and another brutal rally end in.... a Nadal whipped forehand winner.
NADAL SERVING FOR THE SET
Tie Break: Djokovic 6-6 Nadal
And it's back all square...
Tie Break: Djokovic 5-6 Nadal
Another long rally and Novak is forcing Rafa wide. After 15 shots neither can take advantage but out of nowhere comes another Nadal dropshot. Incredible. He's up 6-5.
Tie Break: Djokovic 5-5 Nadal
5-5
Nadal on serve. Can he take advantage?
Tie Break: Djokovic 5-4 Nadal
Nadal doing all he can to stay in this and after a powerful exchange of shots he hits a reverse dropshot cutting across the face of the ball, from the baseline and Djokovic can't make it. Stunning shot and it's 5-4 Novak.
Tie Break: Djokovic 5-3 Nadal
Again, a fault on the first serve and Nadal looks in control, but Novak hit a hard backhand down the line forcing Nadal to play a safety shot high. Djokovic wasn't going to miss the smash. 5-3 and he is on serve.
Tie Break: Djokovic 4-3 Nadal
Nadal on serve faults his first, but Djokovic hits the second straight into the net.
4-3 Novak, who is on serve.
Tick tock
13 minutes left.
Tie Break: Djokovic 4-2 Nadal
It is silent out there...this is pivotal and as Djokovic slides towards the net and dinks a ball just over, Nadal can only push the ball into the net with a volley. 4-2 Djokovic.
Tie Break: Djokovic 3-2 Nadal
Djokovic serves hard down the middle and NAdal can't return.
3-2 Novak. Nadal to serve.
Tie Break: Djokovic 2-2 Nadal
Djokovic faults and his second serve leads to another long rally. Neither player can take control and Nadal hits it wide.
All square at 2-2. Great tennis.
Tie Break: Djokovic 1-2 Nadal
Goodness me...more balls hit skywards, and it is Nadal who finishes it off with a smash.
2-1 Rafa, Djokovic to serve.
Tie Break: Djokovic 1-1 Nadal
Djokovic loses the first point on serve but Nadal can't make him pay with that whirling forehand and hits wide.
1-1
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 6-6 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal starts with a double fault, but Djokovic can't punish him further as he knocks a return just long.
Another fantastic rally follows and Nadal punches a cross court volley for the winner. That was brilliant and it's 30-15 to Rafa.
He pummels the ball towards Djokovic, pinning the Serb at the back of the court and takes the next point too.
Djokovic brings it back to 40-30 and the crowd are getting excited, but Nadal finished the game off and we have a tie break.
6-6: Tie Break
Djokovic has hit 13 aces in three sets
We haven't seen that for a while... 24 minutes to play tonight.
Nice pic from Wimbledon
An audience mesmerised...#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/ls8CfWz2HT
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 6-5 Nadal* (*next server)
And there is an ace. What a serve. Djokovic to serve for the game...
and his first is into the net.
But his second is down the middle and after a short rally, Nadal backhands long.
6-5 Novak.
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 5-5 Nadal* (*next server)
Here we go... Nadal surges to 30-0 up after a phenomenal effort on his backhand side. He looked out of that point.
Novak responds with an ace. Will his serve save him again?
It's helped him level it up at 30-30.
Compelling tennis
Scores on the doors... 1 set each...five games each...90 points for Djokovic, Nadal has 92.
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 5-5 Nadal (*next server)
This is an important game for Rafa, and he looks assured as he moves to 30-0 up.
He is pinned back to 30-15 by a strong Djokovic backhand, but makes up for it with another powerful serve.
He takes the game after Djokovic fires a backhand long. 5-5.
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 5-4 Nadal* (*next server)
Djokovic isn't comfortable, double faulting on his first serve, but works his way to 30-15.
Nadal looked to have sensed danger, but Djokovic held firm and won the point to take him to 40-15, and then impressively holds to 15.
It's definitely night time
Centre Court by night ��☺️#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/73gcuXGU8y
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 4-4 Nadal (*next server)
Another epic point starts the eighth game of the third set.
Nadal played 4 hours and 48 minutes against Juan Martin Del Potro just two days ago, and he is running round this court like a headless chicken. But his head is very much attached, and he takes the first two points.
Djokovic gets one back, but the Spanish grunt-machine slams home a forehand and then serves an unreturnable ball out wide. Nadal is in the mood at 4-4.
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 4-3 Nadal* (*next server)
Strong holding from Djokovic, who races through the first two points. But Rafa hits back and it goes to 30-30.
Then Djokovic finishes down the line for the lead and makes no mistake following it up. Good game for the Serb.
We've got 40 minutes left and it's 4-3 to Novak Djokovic in the third set. Nadal to serve next.
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 3-3 Nadal (*next server)
More grunting as Nadal goes 30-0 down on serve, but he rescues a point with a forehand and follows it up with a cracking serve and forehand out wide.
He has taken it back to 40-30 and a cracking down-the-line forehand is the winner. Good save from 30-0 down.
3-3, third set.
How do you say "You cannot be serious" in Serbian?
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 3-2 Nadal* (*next server)
And now so does Novak. He is at 40-0 and then serves an ace. They are motoring through this set. We have played two hours of tennis. (Well, we haven't, they have...)
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 2-2 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal pummels his way through another service game to love. There is some great serving out there, and it is all square.
It's hot work out there
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 2-1 Nadal* (*next server)
I can't keep up...
Djokovic still has a winning percentage of 75 per cent on his first serve and he now races to 40-0 in front.
He closes out to 15 with an ace. This is a fantastic match.
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 1-1 Nadal* (*next server)
All that messing around with tennis balls was completely worth it for Rafael Nadal as he storms through his service game and holds to love. Very superstitious, as Stevie Wonder would say.
Meanwhile...this match is bigger than the 10 O'clock news...
Sorry Huw....
Sincere apologies to our loyal viewers on @BBCOne - because of the tennis we'll be on the @BBCNews Channel at 2200 with coverage of one of the busiest news days of the year... #BBCNewsTen#TrumpVisit#trump#Brexit �������� pic.twitter.com/Mmk89DnH04
— Huw Edwards (@huwbbc) July 13, 2018
Djokovic 6-4, 3-6 1-0 Nadal* (*next server)
Djokovic takes that first game fairly comfortably holding to 30.
Rafa is taking his time here. He fiddles with his water bottles for a while and then complains that there aren't enough tennis balls. Then there are too many...this is strange... Someone in the crowd shouts "get on with it."
A twitchy Nadal to serve next.
Nadal takes the second set
He took it well at 6-3.
This match is going into tomorrow, I think.
Rafa has nipped to the toilet.
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-6 Nadal (*next server)
And it's a big serve...and...
Nadal takes the second set 6-3
One all
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-5 Nadal (*next server)
But it is squandered... and back to deuce.
Another brutal rally and Nadal takes advantage. This is for the set...
Djokovic* 6-4, 3-5 Nadal (*next server)
These two are producing some of their best tennis in years. It really is like winding back the clock. Nadal goes hammer and tongs and blasts his way into a 30-15 lead, and Djokovic is out of breath after some long exchanges.
He squares to 30-30 and it then goes to deuce. Novak is shouting very loudly at his coach. His wife has her hands clasped in prayer. And it works...as Djokovic gets advantage! Big break point here.
Djokovic 6-4, 3-5 Nadal* (*next server)
Djokovic is not giving this one away, and Nadal looks like he is conserving energy. He doesn't chase a drop shot that puts Djokovic 40-15 up.
But he can return a forehand right back past Djokovic. Blimey, that had sparks flying off it.
It isn't enough though, and Djokovic takes the game. Nadal to serve for the set.
This is vintage tennis
The 11pm curfew @Wimbledon is definitely going to be tested tonight
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 13, 2018
Andy Murray's old coach can see this going into tomorrow, and at this rate it's hard to disagree.
Here's a roof shot
Djokovic* 6-4, 2-5 Nadal (*next server)
No messing around from Rafa here. He races to 40-0 with little trouble.
And then takes the game...Nadal leads 5-2!
It's not just me who's enjoying this...
Watching Djokovic v Nadal like...#Wimbledon#bbctennispic.twitter.com/aQmbZWApai
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 13, 2018
Djokovic 6-4, 2-4 Nadal* (*next server)
Goodness me, some of this tennis is simply phenomenal. Nadal opens up the court with a cross court backhand and Djokovic hits long.
Nadal shouts and is fired up. He has a chance to break....but doesn't take it. And we're back to deuce.
But that big Rafa forehand is back in business and he takes the next two points!
Nadal Breaks again! 4-2
Djokovic 6-4, 2-3 Nadal* (*next server)
Nadal fancies this... He goes 30-0 up and Djokovic is very lucky to drop a shot onto the white lines to make it 30-15.
He then wrong-foots Nadal to draw level. 30-all.
On Novak...he goes 40-30 up but a sloppy forhand finds nothing but net and it's deuce.
Roaring stuff from both players
Djokovic* 6-4, 2-3 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal is firing these serves down with real force, but Djokovic gets a racket on it every time.
The Serb goes 30-15 up against serve.
What a rally...again! It had it all. dropshots, volleys, and it ended with a lob. Djokovic looping one over Nadal. 40-15 he is up...and then he roars the ball across court to break back straight away.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS BACK
Djokovic 6-4, 1-3 Nadal* (*next server)
It's properly noisy inside centre court, and that's just the players. Big grunt from Nadal as he whips a forehand down the line to go 30-0 up against serve.
Djokovic has a basic shot to hit the ball into Nadal's forehand corner while the Spaniard was scrambling back, but he drags it wide. 15-40.
Nadal Breaks!
That was his first break point of the match and he took it very well indeed.
Stats
Djokovic has hit 5 aces, to Nadal's 1 and has won 49 points to Nadal's 43.
Djokovic* 6-4, 1-2 Nadal (*next server)
Djokovic screams very very loudly after spurning advantage. It was a lot louder with the roof closed.
Nadal takes advantage and there is more Serbian shouting.
Then he serves big and manages to hold the game. That was an important hold for Nadal, but Djokovic is in the driving seat on centre court.
Djokovic* 6-4, 1-1 Nadal (*next server)
Phwoar, big shot from Djokovic. Nadal pumps his famous forehand into Djokovic's forehand corner, but the Serb bangs it straight past him down the line.
Rafa doesn't look comfortable out there. Djokovic is getting a racket on everything, and with some force, too.
It's 30-30 and Nadal hits a down the line forehand wide to the right. Djokovic has break point.
Nadal's first serve is a fault, but the second is finally into the body of Djokovic. Deuce.
Djokovic 6-4, 1-1 Nadal* (*next server)
Djokovic is facing a lot of strong return shots from Nadal and is forced to deuce.
Incredibly, there were THREE overhead smashes from Djokovic there and Nadal returns two of them, but cant get anywhere near the third.
Boris Becker says that of the top 100 tennis players in the world, Djokovic's overheads are the worst. This is the same Boris Becker that coached Novak Djokovic for three years.
Djokovic takes the next point easily and it's game. 1-1, second set.
What's up with Rafa's service games?
BBC analysis is saying that Nadal is serving to Djokovic's forehand far too often He isn't mixing it up and 2/3 of the serves are going to Djokovic's strong side. Nothing into the body and very few to stretch the Serb on his backhand.
Djokovic* 6-4, 0-1 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal can't force his service game and keeps getting bogged down. There isn't much in the rallies, but Djokovic has found himself 40-30 up against serve.
Djokovic fires long and Nadal punches the air very hard. Deuce.
Djokovice hits long and Nadal lets out an audible "vamos".
Goodness me...this is incredible tennis. Djokovic controls a rally of at least fifteen shots and bullies Nadal at the back of the court. Eventually the man from Mallorca finds the net and it's deuce.
Nadal has forced his way out of trouble and wins the next two points. Game Nadal.
Djokovic 6-4, 0-0 Nadal
Nadal to serve.
Djokovic takes the first set!
Well that was rather good. Nadal is power hitting and stretching Djokovic, but the Serb looks like he knows where Nadal is going to hit it every single time.
One break of serve is all that's needed to take the first set.
Djokovic 6 -4 Nadal (*next server)
Blimey. Another epic rally with deep hitting from both players and it's Djokovic who takes the first point. He looks like he's reading Nadal's game very well.
He races to 30-0, then 40-0 and then the game!
Djokovic takes the first set!
Henman Hill is still full
Grab your pimms and pints we are here to celebrate!
There is feverish waving from the hundreds, possibly thousands of people gathered there.
Djokovic* 5 -4 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal will not go down quietly in this set and races to 40-0. He has a second serve on game point and still has enough power to force Djokovic to hit long.
43 minutes in, and Djokovic will serve for the first set.
Djokovic 5 -3 Nadal* (*next server)
These two are producing some cracking tennis. A wonderful backhand from Djokovic at the end of a long rally is too good for Nadal, who then can't return the next serve. 30-0 Djokovic.
And the same happens again. Nadal fires back the return of serve high and over the baseline.
Nadal wins the next point, but at 40-15 down forces the ball into the net. Game Djokovic.
Advantage Djokovic in the first set
Both players take on some fluids. Djokovic to serve.
Djokovic* 4 -3 Nadal (*next server)
This is fantastic tennis. Nadal is right in the back forehand corner and Djokovic slams an overhead into the ground towards him, but Nadal somehow gets to it and plays a forehand into Djokovic's far backhand corner, but it's long.
Nadal goes 30-down and Djokovic plays a forehand that kisses the white lines. The line judge says out but hawkeye overturns.
Djokovic has three break points.
A long rally of well over 10 shots results in Djokovic being forced to backhand wide.
Nadal on serve is 40-15 down and staring at a first break.
And he is broken! 4-3 Djokovic. New balls please!
Djokovic 3 -3* Nadal (*next server)
It's Djokovic who goes down 15-30 on serve this time, but claws his way back to 30-30 and then to 40-30 with a lovely forehand.
Djokovic hits long and it goes to deuce again. He's pushing hard here. You get the sense that he is trying to play Rafa at his own power game. How long can that last?
Well, it can last this game, for sure. Djokovic powers through advantage and then takes the game.
3-3.
Djokovic* 2-3 Nadal (*next server)
Nadal again loses early points on serve, going 30-15 down.
He makes it back up to 30-30 and forces Djokovic well wide and has an overhead shot with the entire court to aim at....and he missed - it's gone wide! That was incredible. How did he not find the court?
Djokovic can't make it count at 40-30 up and returns into the net.
We're at deuce.
Another long rally sees Djokovic forced wide, but Nadal slices into the net.
Again, Djokovic can't make the advantage count and Nadal takes the next two points and takes the game.
Nadal saved two break points there and it's shaping up to be a cracker of a match.
The BBC are hyping this one right up...
The Earth is roughly 4.54 billion years old and we're lucky enough to be here at the same time as Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic...
�� @BBCTwo
�� @5liveSport
�� https://t.co/ldFFv9jvc3#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/CzMzv8QMNh— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 13, 2018
Djokovic 2-2 Nadal* (*next server)
Djokovic looks much more comfortable on serve and holds out to 15.
2-2. This is a big rivalry and we could well be in for a big match.
Djokovic* 1-2 Nadal (*next server)
Some bigger shots starting to emerge. Nadal whips that famous forehand deep into Djokovic's backhand corner and takes the first point.
Djokovic squares the game to 30-30 but Nadal hits a powerful forehand to make it 40-30, but then hits one long for deuce.
Nadal left the entire cross court open as he approached the net at deuce, but Djokovic chose to power it down the tramlines. NAdal reached it, and hit it into the empty space left by the Serb. He can't serve out the game though.
He has a second chance at the game and doesn't miss, forcing Djokovic wide on his forehand, so he balloons it high and long. Game Nadal.
For what It's worth, I think Nadal will win this match in five sets. But then again, I said that final set between Anderson and Isner would finish 12-10 to Anderson so what do I know?
Djokovic 1-1 Nadal* (*next server)
The players are still feeling for their big shots and Djokovic slams a backhand just long.
He powers a forehand deep and Nadal is pushed back and can't return.
Djokovic finishes off the game with an ace. All square on Centre.
Djokovic* 0-1 Nadal (*next server)
Rafael Nadal slumps to 15-30 down on serve. He has been in the locker room for hours waiting for this, so needs to hit the ground running.
Nadal gets back to 40-30, but after a long rally he pushes the ball out and Djokovic levels for deuce.
Djokovic hits a lob high into the sky and it nearly grazes the roof panels above centre court. He loses the point and the next, so Nadal holds his first service game of the match.
Djokovic 0-0 Nadal
It's Nadal to serve and we have gt 2 hours and 50 minutes of tennis ahead of us.
Two minutes to go...
That match was simply incredible....Big serving Kev managed to squeeze his way into the final winning the final set 26-24 against John Isner. Unbelievable stuff.
Now, Nadal and Djokovic can play until 11pm...so sit tight for more tennis!
Djokovic v Nadal LII
The most played match in the history of men's tennis will have it's 52nd installment this afternoon as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal meet on Centre Court for a place in the Wimbledon final.
The pair have five Wimbledon titles between them (three for Djokovic, two for Nadal), but have not met at SW19 since the 2011 final, which Djokovic won in four sets.
The length since their last meeting here is largely down to Nadal not having gone beyond the quarter-final in the years following that 2011 run until this event.
But now with the sun-kissed courts playing harder and the balls bouncing higher than in recent memory, Nadal has rediscovered his groove on grass.
He has dropped just two sets - both to Juan Martin del Potro in Wednesday's quarter-final - and with Roger Federer out he has a golden chance to cut the deficit to his great rival to just two grand-slam titles.
Ball boy and ball girls
Standing in his way is the considerable obstacle of the 12-time grand slam champion Djokovic, who has looked rejuvenated this fortnight after a difficult couple of years.
Djokovic is the bookies' favourite to lift the trophy on Sunday, and the way he decimated Kyle Edmund, Karen Khachanov and Kei Nishikori in the last three rounds underlines why.
As well as his performances, he has rediscovered the fight and defiance that always characterised his most gritty victories. Expect more of that today against a crowd that will be heavily in Nadal's favour.
Overall, Djokovic leads the head to head 26-25, but Nadal won their most recent grand-slam meeting - the 2014 French Open final, in four sets. Their record in Wimbledon matches is 1-1, with Nadal winning the 2007 semi-final to go with Djokovic's final victory four years later.
It's a really tough match to call but I think Nadal will come through in four sets.
