Clash of the titans: Nadal faces Djokovic in French Open quarter-final

Rafael Nadal's five-set 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 scoreline against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth-round of the French Open should be a synonym for survival. Some 30 minutes later, in his post-match conference, the 35-year-old delivered a vignette of his woes. A Rafa special. As characteristic as the fight that doesn't fade. Ahead of the blockbuster quarter-final clash against the world No.1 Novak Djokovic, their 10th meeting at Roland Garros, Nadal was landing them softly. Typically, refusing to whip up the dust.

The Serb has won just two of those meetings, most recently in the semifinals 12 months ago. "I haven't played this kind of match for the last three months," Nadal said. "He (Djokovic) won his last nine matches, winning in Rome and now winning here in straight sets every match. He will be confident." "I know how my situation is and I accept it. I'm gonna fight," he said. "I'm in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. Two-weeks-and-a-half ago, I didn't know if I would be here. And to be honest, every match I play here, I don't know if it's gonna be my last match in Roland Garros, in my tennis career. That's my situation now."

Nadal will draw on this most passionate of sporting love affairs when he takes the Court Philippe Chatrier for Tuesday's night match against Djokovic, the world No.1. Djokovic on a whole different arch in the mental tussle assumed the authoritative stance. "I didn't spend too much time on the court up to the quarterfinals," he noted pointedly. "Playing Nadal in Roland Garros is always a physical battle, along with everything else. It's probably the biggest challenge you have here. I'm ready for it." "I like the way I've been feeling, the way I've been hitting the ball," the Serb said. "I