French Open: Djokovic ends nine-time champion Nadal's reign at Roland Garros

ParisNovak Djokovic crushed ninetime champion Rafael Nadal 75 63 61 to move into the French Open semifinals on Wednesday condemning the great Spaniard to just his second defeat in 72 matches at Roland GarrosIt was world number one and top seed Djokovics first win over defending champion Nadal in seven meetings in Paris avenging his defeats in the 2012 and 2014 finals It also eased Djokovic who fired 45 winners to Nadals 16 closer to a first French Open title and completing a career grand slamRafael Nadal reactsafter losing a point against Novak Djokovic during their 2015 French Open quarterfinal matchat Roland Garrosin Paris on Wednesday PicAFP He will play his 26th career Grand Slam semifinal on Friday against either British third seed and twotime grand slam winnerAndy Murray or Spains 2013 runnerup David FerrerI have great respect for Rafa hes a true champion and its always a pleasure to play him said 28yearold DjokovicI knew I had to be aggressive and stay concentrated on every point Thats not easy to do against a man who had only lost once here in his careerIts an incredible day I am very happy and I want to continue like thisFor Nadal it was a sobering way to mark his 29th birthday with the comprehensive loss placing a serious question mark over whether he will be able to achieve his dream of a 10th French Open crownThe defeat just his second in Paris in a decade after a fourthround exit to Robin Soderling in 2009 could also see him slip out of the world top 10 for the first time since 2005I had my moments but he controlled most of the match This can happen when your opponent plays better and is in better shape said NadalIts not a big surprise that I didnt win I lost also in 2009 and today in 2015 but I hope to be back next year with another chanceIn a marathon 67minute first set in their 44th career meeting Djokovic raced into a 40 lead allowing Nadal just four points But the sixth seed roared back to 44 finally finding his range with his trusty forehandNadal faced down three set points in the 10th game also shrugging off a time warning from umpire Cedric Mourier for exceeding the 20second limit between pointsAfter a 12minute game Nadal held for 55 and saved two more set points in the 12th game before Djokovic sealed it with a low searing crosscourter which Nadal could only scramble towards in a desperate attempt to reach it succeeding in only pushing the ball wideDespite being a set to the good the top seed was as unhappy with Mourier as Nadal complaining over the watering of the court at the break Djokovic calmed down enough to have Nadal under siege again in the second set breaking for 53Nadal saved three set points in the ninth game but he was powerless on the fourth Djokovic set it up with a breathtaking nolook backhand volley and converted it into a twoset lead when Nadal netted another tired driveIn a crucial illustration of his dominance Djokovic conjured up 13 winners in the set to just four for NadalFor the Spaniard it was the first time in his career he had lost the first two sets of a French Open match His last comeback from two sets down at a Grand Slam was at Wimbledon eight years ago against Russias Mikhail YouzhnyBut he looked and played like a beaten man in the third set as Djokovic raced out to a decisive 40 lead and the Serb claimed victory on Nadals second double fault of the tie