Tennis-Nadal beats Djokovic in epic clash to reach French Open semi-finals

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 1, 2022 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his quarter final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) -Talks of an end to Rafael Nadal's reign proved premature once again as the claycourt king stayed on course for a record-extending men's 22nd Grand Slam title by beating arch rival Novak Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in a vintage French Open quarter-final clash on Tuesday.

The 13-time Roland Garros champion, beaten by the world number one in the semi-finals here last year, arrived in Paris on the back of two injuries that had hampered his preparations.