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French Open Quarter-Finals: Djokovic V Nadal, Gauff And Trevisan Win – Live!

First set: Nadal 6-2 DjokovicNadal misses a volley to go 0-15 down. That was going begging. It goes to 15-30, but this time a volley at the net goes his way. Djokovic wails as he misses one that hands over a set point to Nadal. And there’s another as Djokovic stumbles and nets. The early lead is with the king of Philippe Chatrier.

Rafael Nadal stretches to play a backhand as he takes the first set in his quarter-final against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesDjokovic* 2-5 Nadal

Nadal gets the benefit of a net cord to level at 15-15 but Djokovic at least makes him serve out for the first set.

Djokovic 1-5 Nadal*

Nadal races to what looks an unassailable lead in the first set after Djokovic overhits.

Djokovic* 1-4 Nadal

Unbelievable rally at 30-30, clouted home by Djokovic. But Nadal gets to break point, then whips the ball down the line to break again. Tennis from heaven.

The spectators watching from the stands around Court Philippe Chatrier are being treated to a sublime game of tennis. Photograph: Thibault Camus/APDjokovic 1-3 Nadal*

A long rally at the start, won by Nadal after a Djokovic error. Then he makes amend by clattering a winner home, Nadal left sliding, then it goes to 15-30, then he bludgeons his way to two break points. The first is wasted when Djokovic’s lob spins out, the second is won by Nadal’s smash at the net. Then Djok misses an overhead, only to save himself on the next point with a sliced drop. Nadal, though, holds. This will be an all-nighter, time to reach for the Pro Plus.

Djokovic* 1-2 Nadal

Djok will be using his power to try and get the job done. It’s a successful policy, and he races to his first game with an ace.

Djokovic 0-2 Nadal*

Every point is rapt with tension. This feels like it might go on forever. At 30-30, Nadal loops a backhand winner down the line, beautifully judged. Djokovic thought it was going out. And then Nadal, skidding in, scoops a drop shot home. The 13-time champ has the early lead.

Novak Djokovic plays a backhand as Rafael Nadal readies himself for a return. Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/ReutersDjokovic* 0-1 Nadal

Ok, here we go, and it’s a rowdy crowd on Philippe Chatrier, with Djokovic to throw first. At 0-15, they play a prog-rock album length of a point, ended by Djoko hitting into the net. Then Nadal blams a winner for 30-30. The quality is already sky-high, even compared to Zverev and Alcaraz. Djokovic skids a serve to go to 40-30. Then, off the net cord, Nadal tops the ball down for deuce. Then Nadal reads a Djokovic volley, and has an early break point. Djokovic levels with a lob. This is already an epic. Djoko overhits, and another break point arrives. It’s saved, too. Another break point, forced by Nadal’s forehand. And then, it’s taken. Well well well. Incredible.

Nadal and Djojovic see each other in the tunnel but there is no eye contact.

The scores: Nadal 21 – 20 Djokovic. That’s what’s on the line here. There’s a few boos for Djoko as he comes in, while Nadal was cheered. “It blows,” says John McEnroe, as Mats Wilander attempts to explain it away as that silly Ronaldo “siu” thing. It’s not that, it’s boos. Remember that last year Djokovic won the game between them, winning the semi-final.

The biggest game ever? Maybe, probably. History is on the line.

Àlex Corretja speaks to Sasha Zverev, who has a broad smile.

Shitting my pants, at the end of the day I knew I had to play my best. I told him at the net he is going to win it a lot of times. I hope I win before he gives us no chance at all. The match was turning his way so I am very happy I won the tie-breaker and didn’t have to play a five-set match, lose a five-set match like I did last year.

Zverev beats Alcaraz 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6The tie-breaker.

Zverev begins by fooling Alcaraz with the drop shot. Then Alcaraz nets with a backhand for 2-0 to Zverev. He somehow digs out a winner to the back of the court for 1-2. Then Zverev’s service return goes long. Zverev’s return then tempts him into netting what looks an easy volley. But then another of those whipped forehands down the line for 3-3. Then comes an angled winner for 4-3 to the Spaniard. Then Zverev levels with a winner. Then it goes to 5-4 with a pair of Alcaraz drop shots. Zverev speeds to mid-court to level at 5-5. Here comes the witching hour. Alcaraz skids a winner that Zverev cannot return, and he has set point. He misses, hitting the net with a backhand. Then, Zverev somehow, has match point, as Alcaraz serves him up a volley at the net. And then, on the Zverev serve, Alcaraz keeps up the pressure. This is ludicrous now. Zverev’s scoop volley sets up another serve, and he has match point on the Alcaraz serve. Zverev, from the back of the court, drills it home. What a shot, what a match. Incredible. What a roar from Zverev.

Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Yves Herman/ReutersThe players embrace. Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/ReutersZverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-6 Alcaraz

Zverev gets to 40-0 with some smart serving, then smashes for a love service game. The tie-break it is.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-6 *Alcaraz

Alcaraz brims with confidence, Zverev looks like someone who’s twice blown his chance to win the match. Off a net cord, Alcaraz forces the pressure back on the Zverev serve.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-5 Alcaraz

Break back! Wobbles from Zverev, who goes 0-30 down. Then Alcaraz whips a winner down the line for three break points. He missed the first after a drop shot sets Zverev scrabbling. The next chance he takes.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 5-4 *Alcaraz

Zverev breaks, and he will serve for the match. A stunning shot from Zverev opens a glimmer of a chance at 0-30. Then Alcaraz gets a tad lucky on the next point when Zverev slows up. But then Alcaraz nets and it’s two break points. The first is missed by Zverev, who hoiks long. Then comes a double! Oh no.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 4-4 Alcaraz

Some high-quality volleying from Zverez begins the game, and he holds his nerve to put the pressure back on Alcaraz’s serve.

Alexander Zverev fires off a forehand to Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersZverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-4 *Alcaraz

Brilliant volleying from Alcaraz secures an easy hold. A fifth set and a late night surely beckons.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-3 Alcaraz

A steepled overhead takes it to 30-0, but then comes a drop shot and a lob from Alcaraz. They’re all coming off now for Alcaraz, who punches a backhand winner for 30-30. Still, Zverev holds, but only just. He’s having to work very hard to do so.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-3 *Alcaraz

These lads that shout out those call and response songs in the Roland Garros crowd: they can go. Most annoying. All a bit teenage. Meanwhile, the teenager on court blams a backhand winner and has Zverev on the ropes, though the errors are not quite erased from his game. He nets for 15-30, but then whips one of those trademark winners with his forehand, celebrating with his coaches as he does so. Then serves out.

A sensible section of the Roland Garros crowd. Photograph: Thibault Camus/APZverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 2-2 Alcaraz

Zverev, at last, wins one of those skidding rallies, backhanding the ball over the net to go 40-0 up on serve. He then serves out.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-2 Alcaraz*

More drop-shot fun from Alcaraz, and Zverev keeps losing out to them. Alcaraz thinks he’s won the game with a passing shot but is pulled back to deuce. Instead, he takes the lead in the fourth via the familiar weapon of the drop shot.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 4-6 1-1 Alcaraz

Zverev briefly looks better on his serve but Alcaraz has the speed and the confidence now, and it goes to deuce. Alcaraz misreads the bounce to hand his opponent game point, one snaffled with a decent backhand.

Alexander Zverev returns the ball to Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty ImagesZverev 6-4 6-4 4-6 0-1 Alcaraz*

Zverev takes his time over a comfort break, but another drop shot has him scrabbling for the first point of the fourth set. Then a volley at the net from Alcaraz, who now seems so confident. Less so Zverev, who has never beaten a top ten player at a grand slam. He misses a backhand to hand the game to his opponent.

Third set: Zverev 4-6 Alcaraz, Zverev leads 2-1 on setsZverev nets after a huge rally on the first point of the game. Alcaraz does the same on the next point for 15-15. Then comes the Alcaraz drop that a skidding Zverev cannot get over the net. Then, after another drop shot, Alcaraz grabs two set points with a forehand passing shot. Well. And then comes yet another drop, and Zverev gets to it, but can’t keep it in. Alcaraz takes the third.

Carlos Alcaraz is back in the game. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersZverev 6-4 6-4 4-5 Alcaraz*

Alcaraz holds. Just about. Zverev begins by walloping the ball from the baseline, and danger is smelled by Alcaraz, whose service yelp is getting louder. A double fault, and it’s 0-30, a glimmer of a chance. Alcaraz gets to 15-30 with a mighty serve, then speeds around the court to level at 30-30. But then swats an attempted winner wide and it’s a break point. That’s saved by a trademark drop shot. Then a second ace, drilled down the centre, for advantage, then Zverev goes long.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 4-4 Alcaraz

An ace takes Zverev to 30-0, a sixth, then comes a sixth double. Then his second serve makes Alcaraz sprawl, to set up a winner down the ljne. The game is won with a serve that pings off the line and cannot be returned.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 3-4 *Alcaraz

Alcaraz is a bag of nerves. Just as it seems he is hitting his straps he makes an error, and hands Zverev a way back in with a mistake. He receives one in kind when Zverev overamps from the baseline.

Alexander Zverev runs to play a return from the baseline against Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Christophe Ena/APZverev* 6-4 6-4 3-3 Alcaraz

The double faults mounting for Zverev. A fourth takes it to 30-15, but then Alcaraz, far more accident prone in open play, goes long. Then comes a fifth double. Uh oh. This has been a problem in the Zverev career..but he follows up with a bomb that levels the set.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 2-3 Alcaraz*

Better from Alcaraz, and he holds by coming forward to the net.

Zverev* 6-4 6-4 2-2 Alcaraz

Alcaraz struggles again on the Zverev serve, he’s forced right to the back of the court, though a double fault aids him for 30-15. Zverev holds his nerve, and it’s 40-15 then game soon enough, a backhand winner getting the job done. Back to that Alcaraz serve.

Alexander Zverev serves to Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersZverev 6-4 6-4 1-2 Alcaraz*

“Si,” says Alcaraz as he gets to 40-15, his serve still looking the wobblier but he nevertheless holds.

*Zverev 6-4 6-4 1-1 Alcaraz

Zverev holds, and reads an Alcaraz drop by delivering one of his own.

Zverev 6-4 6-4 0-1 Alcaraz*

Alcaraz has yet to win a match from two sets down. He starts the set as if he believes he can, though a passing shot from Zverev suggests the German wants to get this sorted in three. An ace, Alcaraz’s first, takes the opening game.

Second set: Zverev 6-4 Alcaraz, Zverev leads 2-0Zverev* 6-4 6-4 Alcaraz

Alcaraz has a glimpse of a comeback, and the crowd on his side, as he gets to 0-30 after a Zverev error. Then a serve and volley at the net takes it to 30-30. Then Zverev, finally, reads an Alcaraz drop for set point. That’s saved by a forehand punch down the line. Then Zverev’s bullying serve and forehand sets up a second set point. The first serve down the line is missed. Then the second is missed, a double fault. Back to deuce. Then somehow Alcaraz angles a drop shot home to set up break point. Zverev can’t get there. Then Alcaraz misses from the baseline with a backhand. Deuce once more. Then Alcaraz again misses as he tries to get around a forehand, and that’s a third set point. A Zverev ace gets the job done finally.

That’s the second set for Zverev. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesZverev 6-4 5-4 *Alcaraz

The teenager is in a bad mood, but he does well to level at 15-15 with a well structured point. A good hold keeps him in the set. Now, how to find a way past that Zverev serve?

Zverev* 6-4 5-3 Alcaraz

Zverev goes to 40-0 with ease, Alcaraz struggling, and a smash at the net means Alcaraz must serve to save the set.

Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty ImagesZverev 6-4 4-3 *Alcaraz

Break! The German in control as a Zverev volley at the net lands him two break points. The first is almost chased down by Zverev but Alcaraz survives. But then a service return has Alcaraz netting the ball off his toes.

Zverev* 6-4 3-3 Alcaraz

The Zverev serve is leaving Alcaraz with little room to work with, and it’s back on the Spaniard’s serve.

Zverev 6-4 2-3 Alcaraz*

Nerves for Alcaraz are apparent, who double faults for 30-30, but his speed and two drop shots take the game for him. Zverev not finding it as easy as before.

Zverev* 6-4 2-2 Alcaraz

Alcaraz’s hitting from the back of the court on the Zverev serve is not coming off, he’s looking to his coaches but it’s not happening for him. That said, his speed wins him a rally to get to deuce. Zverev couldn’t quite put the smash away. Then comes an ace, but then a double fault, a first, and it’s back to deuce. Alcaraz punishes a net cord shot home and a break point, and a loud cheer. Then a groan as another baseline effort is missed. More groans, more complaining to the coaches as Alcaraz misses another. Zverev holds, and that’s a blow to Alcaraz,

Zverev 6-4 1-2 Alcaraz*

Good hold from Alcaraz now, also to love.

Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty ImagesZverev* 6-4 1-1 Alcaraz

Zverev serves to love, nice and easy though not so for Alcaraz.

Zverev 6-4 0-1 Alcaraz*

Alcaraz starts the second set with vigour, just as he did the first, but is still making errors, netting and then overhitting. He does hold this time, and perhaps his confidence is coming back.

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