‘Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic produce quality that is from another planet,’ says Mischa Zverev

The quality of tennis in the Novak Djokovic semi-final against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros was ‘from another planet’ says Mischa Zverev.

Two of the greatest players in tennis history went head to head for the 58th time in what turned out to be a four hour epic match, resulting in a Novak Djokovic win.

It is only the third defeat Nadal has suffered in the French Open throughout his career, made all the more incredible when you consider he has won 105 matches at the event and 13 titles.

Mischa Zverev, brother of Roland Garros semi-finalist Alexander Zverev, was in Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday night to witness the match first hand in his role as analyst for Eurosport.

And after the match, he was so impressed by the tennis on show he said it was that flawless, it was almost like a computer game.

“It was incredible and hard to describe because you’ve seen them play well before and every time they do it again you think it’s impossible but they still produce the quality that is from another planet,” said Zverev.

Nadal took the first set, before Djokovic levelled it, but it was the third set which brought the most excitement lasting over 90 minutes and resulting in a crucial tie-breaker.

“The third set had all the up and downs. At times it was like a computer game because no matter where they hit the ball, A – it’s landing in, and B the guy is already there and it’s impossible to hit winners, they don’t make any unforced errors and still the [other player] still finds a winner. It’s just impossible how they were playing.”

Despite the intensity and incredible skill of both men, Djokovic won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 and denied Nadal the opportunity to win his 21st Grand Slam. The Serbian will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.

“It could have gone the other way like five times on five different occasions. But again, you barely saw any unforced errors.

“Everyone was going for really tough shots and they were making them so you can’t say someone did something wrong, it was just incredible tennis. Novak was just too good towards the end.”