It was midnight in Paris by the time the 3rd set of the men’s singles quarter-final at French Open 2022 was over. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were putting on a gladiatorial battle, albeit the quality of tennis being a shadow of the 2021 semi-final in Paris.
In fact, the 3rd set was over in quick time, considering the norm in the much-anticipated quarter-final match which was slotted in the night session at Philippe Chatrier (8:45 pm local time) as Nadal took it 6-2 to go 2-1 up. However, it was the 2nd set that took as long as 85 minutes as Djokovic fought back from 0-3 down to win it 6-4 and go level.
French Open quarter-final: Nadal vs Djokovic updates
Novak Djokovic had been blown away in the opening set as Nadal came out with all guns blazing, playing at an inspired level. However, the Serb, as expected, bounced back from a crisis situation.
Djokovic had been 0-5 in the first set of their 2021 French Open semi-final and he bounced back to win it in 4 sets en route to his 2nd Roland Garros title. However, there were signs that the script would be different on Tuesday as Nadal raced to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd set.
However, Djokovic fought back, grinding his way through what seemed like never-ending service games to find a way and level the match. In fact, a game went as long as 18 minutes in the 2nd set of the Roland Garros quarter-final.
Nadal who was near-perfect in the opening set made 19 unforced errors in the 2nd, compared to Djokovic’s 15. His win percentage on the first serve dipped from 63 in the first set to 56 in the 2nd.
Tennis fans were baffled by the ability of both the players to fight it hard despite not playing the best tennis by their standards. And there were some hilarious memes to describe the expreience of watching that 85-minute 2nd set.
Do these guys know people have work in the morning or
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) May 31, 2022
I went for a run and they played one game xd
– Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) May 31, 2022
Started in may, finished in june.
Also: it’s crazy how we are in june already. https://t.co/4gAlylDTZY
— Jose Morgado (@josemorgado) May 31, 2022
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022
It feels so strange to be watching live tennis at midnight! Incredible match between Nadal and Djokovic. As one of the announcers remarked, it started in May and will finish in June! #RolandGarros2022
— Eleanor Beardsley (@ElBeardsley) May 31, 2022
We are nearing midnight and we’re only one set each for Djokovic and Nadal.
Who’s the genius that set up the order of play for this match? #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/1nWP1n8M6z— Manar Salah (@Manora23) May 31, 2022
Nadal vs Djokovic at midnight
Sure I will see the sunrise and go to bed.
– pragadeesh (pragatweetz) May 31, 2022
Wimbledon will be over by the time this Nadal v Djokovic match has finished
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) May 31, 2022
What a match! @DjokerNole @RafaelNadal
People freezing in the stands.
This night match should be a 7.30pm start the latest. @rolandgarros
Or better.. get rid of it. @atptour @WTA– Daniel Vallverdu (@danielvallverdu) May 31, 2022
The momentum swung once again as Djokovic held his serve for the first time in the first game of a set in the quarter-final and broke Nadal to go 2-0 up in the 4th set.
Notably, Djokovic hadn’t lost a set en route to the quarter-final but he was in some trouble early on against a spirited Nadal. Aso