French Open: Ahead of Djokovic vs Nadal final, the key numbers and their best Grand Slam matches

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal meet for the 56th time on Sunday in a Roland Garros final blockbuster with history on the line for both men.

World No 1 Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title and a second French Open which would make him the first man in half a century to win all four Slams twice. Defending champion Nadal, the world number two, can win a 13th Roland Garros and 20th major which would tie the all-time men’s record held by Roger Federer.

Victory on Sunday would also give the 34-year-old Spaniard a 100th match win in Paris, where he has lost just two matches in 15 years. Djokovic is one of only two men to beat Nadal here, back in the 2015 quarter-finals. That match five years ago was also the last time the pair clashed at Roland Garros.

Djokovic leads their head-to-head 29-26 and has won 14 of the last 18 matches as well as their last three Grand Slam clashes as well. They met just once in this pandemic-interrupted season, the ATP Cup, where the Serb was the winner as well.

Here’s a look at the key numbers in the match-ups:

Roland Garros results

2015 QF: Djokovic 7-5, 6-3, 6-1

2014 F: Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4

2013 SF: Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7

2012 F: Nadal 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

2008 SF: Nadal 6-4, 6-2, 7-6

2007 SF: Nadal 7-5, 6-4, 6-2

2006 QF: Nadal 6-4, 6-4, retired

The best Grand Slam matches

2012 Australian Open final – Djokovic won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5

In the longest ever Grand Slam final at five hours and 53 minutes, Djokovic came back from 4-2 down in the fifth set. It was the third successive Grand Slam final that Djokovic and Nadal had contested, and saw the Serb extend his winning streak over Nadal to seven straight matches.

“I think it comes out on the top because, just the fact, that we played almost six hours is incredible,” said Djokovic when asked if it had been his greatest ever match.

An exhausted Nadal added: “Physically it was the toughest match I ever played.”

2015 Roland Garros quarter-final – Djokovic 7-5, 6-3, 6-1

Djokovic became only the second man after Robin Soderling in 2009 to defeat Nadal on the red clay of Roland Garros as he maintained his hopes of completing the career Grand Slam.

Djokovic was to lose the final to Stan Wawrinka but would win his first Roland Garros title 12 months later with a victory in the final over Andy Murray.

“It’s definitely a big win, a match that I will remember for a long time,” said Djokovic.

“He was better than me. That’s it. It’s very simple,” said Nadal who was celebrating his 29th birthday.

2018 Wimbledon semi-final – Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11/9), 3-6, 10-8

Just weeks before Wimbledon, Djokovic had suffered a shock quarter-final exit at the French Open at the hands of Marco Cecchinato, the world number 72 from Italy, and had even threatened to skip the grass court Grand Slam.

The semi-final was another classic with Djokovic saving five break points in the fifth set before triumphing after five hours and 15 minutes.

“One of the longest matches of my career. I am overwhelmed,” said Djokovic.

Nadal said: “I have not much more inside me. I gave it my best.”

2012 Roland Garros final – Nadal 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

In a final that was played over two days due to several rain delays, Nadal hit 34 winners to 29 unforced errors, and led two sets and a break before the Serb took eight consecutive games and a 2-1 lead with a break into the third Monday.

When played resumed, Nadal broke back and went on to wrap up victory in three hours and 49 minutes.

“It is an honour and for me the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes. This is an unforgettable moment,” said Nadal.

Djokovic added: “The playing conditions were not good. But it’s not anybody’s fault, and it’s not the reason why I lost today.”

2013 Roland Garros semi-final – Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7

Djokovic was trying to become the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam while Nadal was bidding for an eighth title in Paris. Djokovic had earlier in the season defeated the Spaniard on clay in Monte Carlo, ending Nadal’s 46-match win streak.

In the Roland Garros final, Nadal was 6-5 up in the fourth set and two points from victory but Djokovic hit back and then led 4-2 in the final set before Nadal dug deep to triumph after four hours and 37 minutes.

“I want to congratulate Novak, he’s a great champion and he will win here at Roland Garros one day, I’m sure,” said Nadal.

World number one Djokovic added: “It’s been an unbelievable match but all I can feel now is disappointment. I congratulate him, that’s why he’s a champion.”

2014 Roland Garros final – Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4

Nadal again prevented Djokovic from completing a career Grand Slam as he became the first player to win nine titles at a major. It was also his 14th Slam trophy.

Despite taking the first set, the final ended in a whimper for Djokovic who double-faulted on championship point.

Djokovic admitted that Nadal was probably the fresher player as the final progressed in brutal 30-degree heat.

“For me, the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes,” said Nadal.

Djokovic said: “I was not at the level I was at when I beat him in Rome last month. It takes it out of you. Rafa was the better player.”

With AFP Inputs