Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set their sights on more Grand Slam history at Roland Garros as the French Open embraces a new and eerily empty era of night time tennis.

A 14th title in Paris for Nadal would take him to a record-setting 21st major, surpassing the mark he shares with Roger Federer who has already written off his hopes of adding to his lone success in the French capital back in 2009.

Djokovic, the champion in 2016, can move to 19 Grand Slam titles with victory.

That would make the world number one the first man in over half a century to win all four majors on multiple occasions.

Nadal arrives in Paris buoyed by having defeated Djokovic in the Rome Masters final in what was the pair's 57th meeting.

It was Nadal's 10th title in the Italian capital.

Not that he was reading too much into the statistics as far as Roland Garros is concerned.

"I think I can work on a couple of things that I can do a little bit better," he insisted.

<h2>- 'Work right way' -</h2>

"I just need to keep going. I know what I need to work on and I'm going to do it. Work, relax mentally, and work the right way."

At last year's delayed Roland Garros, Nadal swept past Djokovic in straight sets in the final.

It was Nadal's 100th win at the tournament against just two losses since his 2005 title-winning debut.

Giving Djokovic hope, however, is the knowledge that he was responsible for one of those losses, in the 2015 quarter-finals.

He is also a four-time runner-up although three of those defeats in the championship match came against the Spaniard.

Only two men have previously managed to win all four of the Slams on more than one occasion -- Roy Emerson and Rod Laver of Australia.

Laver's achievement came back in 1969.

"I think I have a good chance to go all the way in Paris, but of course it's a long shot," said Djokovic who captured the season's first Grand Slam title in Australia for a ninth time in February.

Federer, with his 40th birthday fast approaching, remains the sentimental favourite but his priority will be an assault on Wimbledon where he has been champion eight times.

<h2>- Chasing pack -</h2>

"I'm not so sure in the last 50 years of the French Open, somebody just rocks up at nearly 40 years old, being out for a year and a half, and wins everything straight," said Federer after losing his only clay court match this year in Geneva last week.

Of the chasing pack, two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem is low on form and confidence.

A run to the Madrid semi-finals was followed by a straight sets defeat to Cameron Norrie in his Lyon opener.

World number two Daniil Medvedev has yet to win a match at Roland Garros in four attempts.

In Rome, he fell at the first hurdle and half-jokingly pleaded with the referee to disqualify him such is his dislike for clay.

World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas is the most likely man to upset the odds of Nadal and Djokovic again making the final.

The 22-year-old Greek won the prestigious Monte Carlo clay court title in April, had match point before losing the Barcelona final to Nadal and then lifted the Lyon trophy.

He has beaten Nadal on clay in Madrid in 2019 and stretched Djokovic to five sets at the 2020 French Open semi-finals.

This year's Roland Garros will be the second taking place under the shadow of the coronavirus.

Just over 5,000 fans a day will be allowed on site until June 9 when that figure rises to 13,000.

For the first time this year, there will be nine evening sessions at the tournament.

However, a Covid-19 curfew from 9pm means that eight of those sessions will be played out inside an empty Court Philippe Chatrier.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set their sights on more Grand Slam history at Roland Garros as the French Open embraces a new and eerily empty era of night time tennis.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set their sights on more Grand Slam history at Roland Garros as the French Open embraces a new and eerily empty era of night time tennis. A 14th title in Paris for Nadal would take him to a record-setting 21st major, surpassing the mark he shares with Roger Federer who has already written off his hopes of adding to his lone success in the French capital back in 2009. Djokovic, the champion in 2016, can move to 19 Grand Slam titles with victory. That would make the world number one the first man in over half a century to win all four majors on multiple occasions. Nadal arrives in Paris buoyed by having defeated Djokovic in the Rome Masters final in what was the pair's 57th meeting. It was Nadal's 10th title in the Italian capital. Not that he was reading too much into the statistics as far as Roland Garros is concerned. "I think I can work on a couple of things that I can do a little bit better," he insisted. - 'Work right way' - "I just need to keep going. I know what I need to work on and I'm going to do it. Work, relax mentally, and work the right way." At last year's delayed Roland Garros, Nadal swept past Djokovic in straight sets in the final. It was Nadal's 100th win at the tournament against just two losses since his 2005 title-winning debut. Giving Djokovic hope, however, is the knowledge that he was responsible for one of those losses, in the 2015 quarter-finals. He is also a four-time runner-up although three of those defeats in the championship match came against the Spaniard. Only two men have previously managed to win all four of the Slams on more than one occasion -- Roy Emerson and Rod Laver of Australia. Laver's achievement came back in 1969. "I think I have a good chance to go all the way in Paris, but of course it's a long shot," said Djokovic who captured the season's first Grand Slam title in Australia for a ninth time in February. Federer, with his 40th birthday fast approaching, remains the sentimental favourite but his priority will be an assault on Wimbledon where he has been champion eight times. - Chasing pack - "I'm not so sure in the last 50 years of the French Open, somebody just rocks up at nearly 40 years old, being out for a year and a half, and wins everything straight," said Federer after losing his only clay court match this year in Geneva last week. Of the chasing pack, two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem is low on form and confidence. A run to the Madrid semi-finals was followed by a straight sets defeat to Cameron Norrie in his Lyon opener. World number two Daniil Medvedev has yet to win a match at Roland Garros in four attempts. In Rome, he fell at the first hurdle and half-jokingly pleaded with the referee to disqualify him such is his dislike for clay. World number five Stefanos Tsitsipas is the most likely man to upset the odds of Nadal and Djokovic again making the final. The 22-year-old Greek won the prestigious Monte Carlo clay court title in April, had match point before losing the Barcelona final to Nadal and then lifted the Lyon trophy. He has beaten Nadal on clay in Madrid in 2019 and stretched Djokovic to five sets at the 2020 French Open semi-finals. This year's Roland Garros will be the second taking place under the shadow of the coronavirus. Just over 5,000 fans a day will be allowed on site until June 9 when that figure rises to 13,000. For the first time this year, there will be nine evening sessions at the tournament. However, a Covid-19 curfew from 9pm means that eight of those sessions will be played out inside an empty Court Philippe Chatrier.

Tennis: Nadal, Djokovic eye history as Roland Garros embraces quiet night in

Rafael Nadal on Sunday annihilated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win his 13th French Open title while equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles. World no. one Djokovic’s hopes of 18th Slam and of becoming the first man to win all four majors twice since Rod Laver in 1969 were shattered as Nadal produced a breathtaking performance to dominate the Serb.

Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, French Open 2020 men's singles final result: Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) 6-0, 6-2, 7-5&nbsp;

Nadal, 34, also claimed his 100th match win at Roland Garros against just two defeats since his 2005 debut. The Spanish ace hence becomes the oldest champion in Paris since Andres Gimeno in 1972 and that too without dropping a single set.

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Undisputed King 👑<a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RafaelNadal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RolandGarros?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RolandGarros</a> <a href="https://t.co/iUCcETcGEG">pic.twitter.com/iUCcETcGEG</a>
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Leading men'Djokovic, regarded as one of the toughest and grittiest players, looked clueless against Nadal with the Spaniard pulling off a sensational performance in the summit clash.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fearless-swiatek-continues-transfer-of-power-in-womens-tennis-334466" hreflang="en">Fearless Swiatek continues transfer of power in women's tennis</a>

With the Grand Slam win, Nadal became on the fifth singles tennis player to enter the 20-major club alongside Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22). Federer already has 20 Grand Slam to his name.

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&nbsp;

The final of French Open 2020 lasted just two hours and 43 wins as Nadal completed one of the dominating performances against Djokovic. Hailed as ‘King of Clay’, Nadal now has 13 French Open titles and also bageled Djokovic in the opening set that lasted only 45 minutes. In what was a comprehensive win, Nadal had just two unforced errors and 10 winners.

<h2>Grand Slam title winners after Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in the French Open final on Sunday:</h2>

20 - Roger Federer (SUI)

20 - Rafael Nadal (ESP)

17 - Novak Djokovic (SRB)

14 - Pete Sampras (USA)

12 - Roy Emerson (AUS)

11 - Rod Laver (AUS), Bjorn Borg (SWE)

10 - Bill Tilden (USA) 
&nbsp;

Rafael Nadal on Sunday annihilated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win his 13th French Open title while equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal on Sunday annihilated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win his 13th French Open title while equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles. World no. one Djokovic’s hopes of 18th Slam and of becoming the first man to win all four majors twice since Rod Laver in 1969 were shattered as Nadal produced a breathtaking performance to dominate the Serb. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, French Open 2020 men's singles final result: Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 Nadal, 34, also claimed his 100th match win at Roland Garros against just two defeats since his 2005 debut. The Spanish ace hence becomes the oldest champion in Paris since Andres Gimeno in 1972 and that too without dropping a single set. Undisputed King 👑@RafaelNadal #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/iUCcETcGEG — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020 × Leading men'Djokovic, regarded as one of the toughest and grittiest players, looked clueless against Nadal with the Spaniard pulling off a sensational performance in the summit clash. ALSO READ: Fearless Swiatek continues transfer of power in women's tennis With the Grand Slam win, Nadal became on the fifth singles tennis player to enter the 20-major club alongside Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22). Federer already has 20 Grand Slam to his name. 😉😉😉@RafaelNadal @RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/NTUJOq6d6q — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020 × The final of French Open 2020 lasted just two hours and 43 wins as Nadal completed one of the dominating performances against Djokovic. Hailed as ‘King of Clay’, Nadal now has 13 French Open titles and also bageled Djokovic in the opening set that lasted only 45 minutes. In what was a comprehensive win, Nadal had just two unforced errors and 10 winners. Grand Slam title winners after Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in the French Open final on Sunday: 20 - Roger Federer (SUI) 20 - Rafael Nadal (ESP) 17 - Novak Djokovic (SRB) 14 - Pete Sampras (USA) 12 - Roy Emerson (AUS) 11 - Rod Laver (AUS), Bjorn Borg (SWE) 10 - Bill Tilden (USA)

Nadal defeats Djokovic to win 13th French Open, equals Federer's 20 Grand Slam wins

Rafael Nadal ended a seven-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic in emphatic fashion by thrashing the world number two 6-2 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the Madrid Open and move within a step of a third consecutive clay-court title.

The Spaniard and four-time winner in Madrid got off to a dream start in the 50th meeting between the two great rivals, winning every point in the first game to break Djokovic, with the home crowd wildly celebrating his first point -- a potent return which the Serbian could only hit into the ground.

Defending champion Djokovic, who broke with long-time coach Marian Vajda and his staff the week before the tournament in a bid to reverse his downward trajectory of results in the last year, surrendered his serve again in the third game, and Nadal held to go 4-0 up.

Real Madrid great Raul and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo were among those watching in the stands in the Caja Majica on a scorching day in the Spanish capital in as Madrid fan Nadal continued his rampant start to the year.

The Spaniard finished off the first set in 40 minutes and again broke the struggling Djokovic in the opening game of the second. The world number two broke back in the fourth to tie the set at 2-2 and celebrated by punching the air.

It proved to be just a brief respite for the Serbian, however, as Nadal broke him again in the next game and held to restore his two-game lead.

He missed two match points on his serve and then had to save a break point before taking the contest at the third time of asking to reach the Madrid final for the eighth time.

Nadal will play either Austrian Dominic Thiem or Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in Sunday&#39;s final, where he will look to add to his recent triumphs in the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.

&quot;I knew I&#39;d have to play very well and I thought I did very well in the first set. Then in the second I got the typical nerves from playing Djokovic,&quot; Nadal told Television Espanola.

&quot;I couldnt be happier. To reach another final in Madrid means everything to me.&quot;

(Reuters)

The Spaniard got off to a dream start in the 50th meeting between the two great rivals, winning every point in the first game to break Djokovic

Rafael Nadal ended a seven-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic in emphatic fashion by thrashing the world number two 6-2 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the Madrid Open and move within a step of a third consecutive clay-court title. The Spaniard and four-time winner in Madrid got off to a dream start in the 50th meeting between the two great rivals, winning every point in the first game to break Djokovic, with the home crowd wildly celebrating his first point -- a potent return which the Serbian could only hit into the ground. Defending champion Djokovic, who broke with long-time coach Marian Vajda and his staff the week before the tournament in a bid to reverse his downward trajectory of results in the last year, surrendered his serve again in the third game, and Nadal held to go 4-0 up. Real Madrid great Raul and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo were among those watching in the stands in the Caja Majica on a scorching day in the Spanish capital in as Madrid fan Nadal continued his rampant start to the year. The Spaniard finished off the first set in 40 minutes and again broke the struggling Djokovic in the opening game of the second. The world number two broke back in the fourth to tie the set at 2-2 and celebrated by punching the air. It proved to be just a brief respite for the Serbian, however, as Nadal broke him again in the next game and held to restore his two-game lead. He missed two match points on his serve and then had to save a break point before taking the contest at the third time of asking to reach the Madrid final for the eighth time. Nadal will play either Austrian Dominic Thiem or Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in Sunday's final, where he will look to add to his recent triumphs in the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. "I knew I'd have to play very well and I thought I did very well in the first set. Then in the second I got the typical nerves from playing Djokovic," Nadal told Television Espanola. "I couldnt be happier. To reach another final in Madrid means everything to me." (Reuters)

Nadal beats Djokovic to reach Madrid Open final