Nadal Overcomes Djokovic, Through to the French Open Final.

Rafael Nadal has reached his 17th Grand Slam final, well on
course to becoming the first player ever to win the Roland
Garros eight times.
The Spaniard had one of the strongest challenges of his red
court career from Novak Djokovic in an epic French Open
semi-final at the Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday, eventually
seeing off the top seed 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-9 in a
scintillating five-set razzle-dazzle.
The heavyweight clash lasted for four hours and 37
minutes, bet you, in the time it had taken Nadal and Djokovic
to play 11 games of the fifth set, Serena Williams had already
booked her place in the women's final.
Nadal will either play compatriot David Ferrer or Frenchman
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday's final.
There was drama every step of the way as earlier predicted
since the day Nadal and Djokovic were paired in the same
half and it lived up to its billing, with long rallies, brilliant
defence, delicate drop shots, time violations, questionable
line calls and volleys.
It was the 35th match between the top seed and the world
number three and the Mallorcan now leads the series with
Djokovic 20-15. Nadal improved his Roland Garros record to
58-1.
The deciding set lasted more than 80 minutes after Nadal
failed to serve out the match in the fourth set and Djokovic
let a 4-2 lead slip in the fifth, before the Spaniard proved his
intimidating strength and physical style in the decider.
A triumphant Nadal grinned, pumped his fist into the air and
answered the fans' thunderous roar with applause for them
and then gestured towards his opponent.