Best matches played by big five at the French Open part three: Rafael Nadal against Novak Djokovic in 2014
James Spencer brings us part three of five of the best French Open encounters ever played by the big five.
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic: 2014 French Open Final
In a rematch of the epic 2013 French Open semi-finals, the top two seeds met again this time in the final.
Djokovic was still the man obsessed as he attempted to become only the eighth player in tennis history to win the career Grand Slam (to win all four of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open) and only the fourth player in the Open Era.
The Serbian started like a train as he steamed through the first set taking it 6-3 as errors crept into the Spaniard’s game as Djokovic’s powerful baseline game came to the fore.
Nadal battled back in the second set as he played some outstanding attacking tennis to take it 7-5. The Spaniard was clearly pumped and urged the crowd to get behind him in his quest for an unprecedented ninth French Open crown.
The Serb began to wilt in the searing heat as Nadal stormed through the third set taking it 6-2.
Nadal played some sublime cross-court forehand winners as he eventually triumphed in four sets 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 to secure an amazing ninth French Open title. And with it an unprecedented 14th Grand Slam title to equal Pete Sampras.
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