Stat of the Day: Novak Djokovic becomes first man to beat Rafael Nadal twice at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic was already one of only two men to beat Rafael Nadal in 107 career matches at Roland Garros, along with Robin Soderling, and with an inspired 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory in the semifinals on Friday, he became the first man to beat him at the clay-court major twice.

The Serb now accounts for two of the three losses in Nadal’s ridiculous 105-3 record at the event.

“Definitely the best match that I was part of ever in Roland Garros for me,” Djokovic said, “and top three matches that I ever played in my entire career, considering quality of tennis, playing my biggest rival on the court where he has had so much success and has been the dominant force in the last 15-plus years, and the atmosphere, which was completely electric. For both players, a lot of support. Just amazing. I was very happy that there was no curfew, 11:00. I heard there was a special waiver, so they allowed the crowd to stay.

“Just one of those nights and matches that you will remember forever.”

Until Friday, nobody had ever beaten Nadal in the semifinals (13-0) or final (13-0) of Roland Garros.

Djokovic’s win also snapped a five-match clay-court losing streak in their head-to-head, as well Nadal’s 35-match winning streak at Roland Garros, his last loss coming in the 2015 quarterfinals to Djokovic. Nadal’s only other loss at Roland Garros came to Soderling in the fourth round in 2009.

With Soderling since retired, it’s hard to imagine anyone else getting a second win over Nadal at Roland Garros like Djokovic just did.