*Novak Djokovic 4-0 Rafael Nadal
Nadal throws his hands up in frustration as a slingy forehand down the line is into the net, 15-all, but Djokovic seems to lose his footing on the surface and clips one into the net too. He glances downward accusingly at the chalk-red clay.
But two points later and he’s 30-40 up with another break point… saved! Brilliant!
Djokovic again goes for the choppy drop shot, Nadal seemingly takes an age to get going on the front foot, but makes it and pat it cross-court beyond Djokovic’s grasp for deuce. Fist-pump.
Equally, if not more, brilliant from Djokovic in response. Both men come to the net and exchange returns but Djokovic eventually levers it acutely past a despairing Nadal stretch for advantage and a second break point.
Another saved! Nadal, pushed into a corner, goes for the Hollywood shot from outside the court, down the line, it’s called out, though it looks like it clipped the line. The umpire gets out of his chair to check but Djokovic sportingly concedes the point, recognising it did hit the line.
Another deuce, but a two-handed backhand winner down the line sets up break point, and finally he takes it. Sighs and gasps of disappointment and dissatisfaction echo around Roland Garros as Djokovic goes a double break up at 4-0 in the first set.
