A stunned Novak Djokovic was left licking his wounds on Saturday after coming within a whisker of inflicting a rare claycourt defeat on world number one Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open. Spaniard Nadal battled back from a set and a break down and saved three match points for a dramatic 3-6 7-6 7-6 win in the longest three-setter ever at over four hours in a Masters Series event.
It was the third time in a month he had beaten Djokovic following his victories in the finals at the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters and he improved his record against the Serb to 14 wins and four defeats. "I don't know what to do," a shattered-looking Djokovic said at a news conference.