Nadal vs Djokovic: Date, UK start time, TV channel and live stream

Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 1-5 *Rafa Nadal

Credit to Rafael Nadal who has raised his game this set but Novak Djokovic has dropped off drastically.

The Serbian had a phenomenal second set and it looked as if he was going to turn the match completely on its head.

But now Nadal is edging closer to securing the third set which will be a tough uphill battle for Djokovic to climb up.

*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 1-4 Rafa Nadal

We have Deja vu happening folks as for the third time this match, Rafael Nadal leads a set by three clear games.

The Spaniard has regained ascendancy in this match which nobody would have predicted following the previous set.

This is a massive game coming up for Novak Djokovic otherwise he could see his semi-final hopes shattered.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 1-3 *Rafa Nadal

Rafa Nadal just about manages to hold his serve with Djokovic threatening to break him on four occasions.

Both players are beginning to get tired as the aces are starting to reduce throughout each game.

We could be up until early hours of the morning so I hope everyone has got their snacks ready.

Novak steps up to serve…

*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 1-2 Rafa Nadal

The world number one is able to stay in the set and avoid going three down similar to before.

However, Nadal is still in pole position and if both tennis stars continue to hold their serve, the Spaniard will claim this set.

Roland Garros goes quiet as Rafa is preparing to serve.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 0-2 *Rafa Nadal

Rafael Nadal has managed to hold his serve and go two games up in the third set.

Djokovic cannot afford to go three down again as Nadal won’t let him off the hook as easy as last time.

Djokovic’ serve…

*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 Rafa Nadal

For the third time in this match, Nadal has broken Djokovic in the first game of a set.

The Spaniard will be hoping to take full advantage this time as he was pegged back in the previous set.

As for the world number one Djokovic, he just needs to stay focused and there’s no doubt he is more than capable of levelling things up.

*Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 0-0 Rafa Nadal

After a long hard fought second set, we go into the third set with more than two hours played already.

Novak Djokovic looked down and out for a while until the Serbian showed his class to comeback from 0-3 to win 6-4.

You cannot possibly predict how this is going to go.

Djokovic takes serve on the third set.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-4 Rafa Nadal

We are now level here in Paris.

It’s 1-1 in sets.

Djokovic benefits from a Nadal error on the second of his set points.

More than two hours have passed and we are no closer to knowing who will clinch a spot in the semi-final.

A crazy decision by organisers to put it on late at night.

And it is long from Djokovic. Deuce now on the Nadal serve…

Set point to Novak Djokovic…

Novak Djokovic 2-6 5-4 *Rafa Nadal

A hold of serve there from Djokovic as we edge slowly towards the end of the second set.

Maybe a tie-break perhaps will be required.

That is unless Djokovic can break in the next game.

It is not the classic that we had all hoped, there have been too many errors for that, but it is long and lengthy.

A real test of endurance, stamina and concentration.

Novak Djokovic* 2-6 4-4 Rafa Nadal

The crowd are loving this.

The level of athleticism of these two titans is remarkable.

Neither are willing to give an inch.

Yes, the ball is a bit slower in these cool conditions.

But still, they could play for hours at this rate. And they probably will.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 4-3 *Rafa Nadal

Another lengthy game there, more than nine minutes, which swung one way and the other.

Now Djokovic is ahead in this set and you wonder how pivotal that sixth game will prove to be in the final outcome.

There was a rare double fault from Djokovic, his second of this match.

We are close to two hours having passed on the match clock and it’s gone 11pm here in Paris.

And the Metro lines are not 24/7.

It will be interesting to see how many people stay and miss their train home.

Novak Djokovic* 2-6 3-3 Rafa Nadal

Nadal had a chat with the umpire before the start of this game but it is hard to know up here in the stands what the issue was.

That was a fascinating 15-minute, 20-point game: full of long rallies, drop shots, unforced errors, a 121mph ace (the fastest so far), break points and Nadal wasting his chances.

Eventually Nadal relents under the weight of pressure and Djokovic levels up at 3-3.

Strap yourself in, we are here for the long haul now.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 2-3 *Rafa Nadal

A relatively comfortable hold of serve there for Djokovic.

No deuce point is required.

A 117mph ace will have helped his self-belief and accuracy levels.

Novak Djokovic* 2-6 1-3 Rafa Nadal

Djokovic breaks for the first time in this match as a few errors suddenly creep into Nadal’s performance.

Some respite for the Serbian after being dragged all over this court.

He is still a break down in this set but at last some hope for the Nole fans.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 0-3 *Rafa Nadal

My goodness, Nadal has done it again.

He has had 12 break points in this match and converted four of them.

Djokovic should have won that game but poorly he found the net with shot at close range.

The world No.1 is in all sorts of trouble here.

Novak Djokovic* 2-6 0-2 Rafa Nadal

No-one is going to reach a 119mph ace down the line.

Not even the best returner in the world in Djokovic.

Nadal is bossing this match now.

Winner after winner is coming off his red hot racket.

Djokovic needs to regroup or he could quickly be two sets down.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 0-1 *Rafa Nadal

Nadal breaks the Djokovic serve in the opening game of the second set – just like he did in the first.

The 35-year-old did it at the seventh attempt mind you.

But his persistence paid off and there was a huge roar from the crowd.

Djokovic has dropped a set for the first time in this tournament and it breaks a 22-set winning streak going back to the Italian Open in Rome.

Maybe a good omen here for Nadal fans: The winner of opening set has gone on to win 50 of the previous 58 matches.

Novak to serve first

It is the start of the second set and the Serbian is first up.

There is a band high up in the stands and occasionally the strains of a trumpet or beat of a drum can be heard.

The crowd favourite Nadal is in the lead.

Novak Djokovic 2-6 Rafa Nadal

Nadal has done it, he has clinched the first set. Vamos.

Twelve winners from the Spaniard who knows this court more intimately than anyone else on the planet.

Frustration there from Djokovic as he sends one shot wide and hands Nadal a set point that he duly converts after 49 minutes of play.

Novak Djokovic 2-5 *Rafa Nadal

Djokovic does not want to be broken for a third time and managed to clinch the game reasonably well.

It is now up to Nadal to serve this one out.

There is a change of officials on court.

Novak Djokovic* 1-5 Rafa Nadal

Well, well, well.

Few people would have predicted this before the match.

Nadal is one game away from sealing this opening set.

And to think he did not want to play at this time of night when the temperature is cooler and the ball are slower.

Barely an empty seat now in the stands.

Novak Djokovic 1-4 *Rafa Nadal

Djokovic was out of sorts there in the fifth game.

Two unforced errors from the world No.1, which is unlike him to be this sloppy.

A superb forehand winner there from Nadal and he has broken for the second time in this opening set.

He will now serve for a 5-1 lead.

Novak Djokovic* 1-3 Rafa Nadal

The Serbian carves out two break point opportunities at 15-40 up.

But the first is wasted due to a Djokovic unforced error.

Then Nadal smashes the ball away for deuce.

The Spaniard eventually holds and is in control of this first set.

Now 30 minutes gone and we have only had four games. Yes, four games.