At last it was the second men’s semi final of Wimbledon 2018, and the one we’d been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for - Rafa Nadal (2) and Novak Djokovic (12).
Nadal served first and was taken to deuce, didn’t like it so held serve instead 1-0
Djokovic was more efficient, two aces amongst his reply and 1-1.
Nadal again struggled, errors taking him to deuce twice before he held for 2-1. A Djokovic ace and 3 Spanish errors levelled things at 2-2.
Nadal managed for the third time to hold serve with troubles, saving two break points on this occasion.
Djokovic trailed 15-30 after missing a backhand. A forehand winner compensated, then the backhand joined in for 40-30. A mishit forehand and deuce, then Nadal missed everything. Off forehand winner and 3-3.
Djokovic won a spectacular rally, then two magnificent returns set up winning points and three break points. The second of those was enough as Nadal hit wide. Djokovic 4-3.
Two stunning backhands from Serbia and a Nadal error 40-0. Nadal hit a winner but Djokovic held comfortably 5-3. Nadal had his best game, three errors from Djokovic helping him serve to love and asking the Serb to serve for the set.
A Djokovic ace and three set points. A forehand winner and Djokovic led 6-4.
Forehand winner from Djokovic to start set two. 30-30 as they traded errors. Nadal saved a break point. A second deuce. Nadal put away a winner at the net. Service held 1-0
40-30 after Djokovic forced an error. Deuce following an unforced Serbian error. Djokovic held for 1-1.
Nadal saved two break points by forcing errors and held serve 2-1
A missed forehand from Djokovic and two break points for Nadal against the run of play. The break was his with a netted shot 3-1 Nadal.
Forehand Djokovic return winner 0-15. A miss wide and 15-30 Nadal. A drop shot-lob combination from Djokovic and two break back points. A sizzling forehand pass won the day and it was back on serve 2-3.
Djokovic 0-30 again. A forehand down the line and a volley winner 30-30. Deuce after trading errors. Break point to Nadal after a furious rally. Saved following a long Nadal shot. Brilliant drop shot from Nadal and second break point. Forehand winner for the break 4-2 Nadal.
Nadal consolidated the break this time with a love game to lead 5-2.
Djokovic held with two touch volleys the highlight. 3-5
Nadal served for the set. A wonderful rally ended with a Nadal winner 15-15. Service winner 30-15. Nadal into the net 30-30. Break point following a long Spanish shot. Saved with a quality serve. Another break chance as Nadal pushed it wide. Saved. Wonderful backhand Nadal winner and set point. He converted and took the set 6-3.
The match was level, and no chance of a finish tonight, thanks to Anderson and Isner.
Two Nadal forehand winners didn’t stop Djokovic holding for 1-0 in set three. Nadal winner and 30-0. 40-0 after Djokovic netted. He did again and Nadal held 1-1
Great contest at the net and Djokovic 30-0. 40-0 with an ace. Another to hold at 15. 2-1 Djokovic. Two drop shot Nadal winners and 2-2.
An ace from Djokovic sealed a love game and he led 3-2.
Nadal missed wide on both sides 0-30. Djokovic missed wide 15-30. Ace and 30-30. Nadal held with a forehand winner 3-3.
Djokovic was at 30-30 after two unforced errors. Game point following a backhand winner. Serve held for 4-3
Fine rally which Nadal won with an overhead 15-0. Djokovic missed wide 30-0. Forehand return magic from Djokovic and 30-15. Winning pass from Nadal and two game points. Held for 4-4.
Double fault from Djokovic - the first of the match 0-15. Good comeback with winning volley and forced Nadal error. Game to Djokovic and he was one away from the set at 5-4.
Nadal forehand winner 30-0. 30-15 after a Spanish error. Good serve and two game points. One needed and 5-5.
Nadal overhead winner at the net 0-15. Forehand winner from the same racquet 0-30. Service winner 15-30. Netted Nadal shot 30-30. Ace and game point. Service held and Djokovic led 6-5.
Double fault Nadal. 0-15. Djokovic hit it long 15-15. Nadal won at the net 30-15. Game points after Djokovic drifted long again. One saved when Nadal did the same. Serve held and tie break arrived.
Double fault from Djokovic to start. Nadal missed wide and 1-1. Nadal smash winner 2-1. Nadal hit long 2-2. First serve was on the money 3-2 Djokovic. 4-2 after Djokovic chased down a drop shot.
4-3 after netted Djokovic shot. Forehand overhead after brilliant backhand from Djokovic 5-3. Drop shot stunner from Nadal 5-4 Djokovic. 5-5 after Djokovic error. Drop shot again and set point for Nadal. Saved with a fine serve. 6-6. Nadal forehand winner and set point again. Drop shot from Djokovic saved it. 7-7. Drop shot from Nadal and another set point. Saved with a good first serve. 8-8.
Nadal hit long and Djokovic had set point. Saved. 9-9.
Djokovic won at the net and led 10-9 with a set point. Backhand down the line from Djokovic won him the set 7-6(9) and he led two sets to one.
Time ran out and the players would need to come back on Saturday as a compliment to the Ladies final.
An amazing day of tennis which has continued a great tournament.
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