IN a year that has been completely unpredictable, the top two seeds at Roland Garros gave the tennis world back some normality when Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal moved through to the final. Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in an epic five sets, while Nadal needed just ht three to take down Diego Schwartzman and move on.

A 12-time Roland Garros winner, Nadal’s 13th Grand Slam major would see him move up to a record-equalling 20 alongside Roger Federer, whilst Djokovic could move within one of the Spaniard with victory himself, currently sitting on 17. Nadal actually lost to Schwartzman back at the Rome Masters, going down in a stunning defeat, but he made sure there was no mistake this time, winning 6-3 6-3 7-6.

Despite being a straight sets win, the match still lasted three hours and nine minutes as the usually consistent Schwartzman hit 48 unforced errors for 24 winners, whilst Nadal had 34 for 38, and won almost half of his receiving points.

“It was very difficult,” Nadal said post-match. “I’d like to thank the crowd for their support. “It’s incredible to be in another Roland Garros final. It’s always a special moment. “I made a couple of mistakes in the third set, when I missed a couple of volleys.”

“I know when I play Diego it’s difficult to the very end. “A few weeks ago, I lost to him in Rome and I’m happy to be improving each day. “I didn’t play my best in Rome, but he always plays his best and he had a fantastic win against Dominic [Thiem] a few days ago.”

The raging tournament favourite, the second seed is yet to drop a set this time out, and reaches his 29th Grand Slam final, with a 19-8 record. Holding a ridiculous 99-2 record at Roland Garros, Nadal could bring up his triple-digit win against Djokovic.

The Serbian made his way into the final by surviving a gallant comeback from Tsitsipas to win in five sets, 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-1 in three hours and 54 minutes. The Serbian moved to a 37-1 record this year, reaching his fifth Roland Garros final.

Tsitsipas actually served more aces (7-5) and had less double faults (5-6), but Djokovic capitalised wth a more consistent first serve, winning 73 per cent of his 67 per cent first serve efficiency. He also broke eight times to four, hitting four more winners (56-52) and having six less unforced errors (50-56) in what was a tight contest between the pair.

In the head-to-head between Djokovic and Nadal, the pair have faced off 55 times with the former leading 29-26. However Nadal holds a 6-1 record against Djokovic at Roland Garros, with the current world number one only one of two people to knock off Nadal here, way back in 2015.

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