Madrid Throwback: Relive Nadal v. Djokovic 2009 SF Classic

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have faced off 53 times in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry, but their 2009 Mutua Madrid Open semi-final remains one of their most memorable matches.

Nadal prevailed 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(9) in what was the longest three-set match in ATP Masters 1000 history at four hours and three minutes. Djokovic won more points on the day (125 to 120), but the Spaniard bravely saved three match points at 5/6, 6/7 and 8/9 in the final-set tie-break.

“In a game like that with so many match points I think you need luck to win,” said Nadal after the match. “But I played with great courage and I think everything went well for me.”

The pair are in opposite halves of this year’s draw in Madrid as the top two seeds. World No. 1 Djokovic starts Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov or a qualifier, while Nadal will face a Canadian #NextGenATP player in Felix Auger-Aliassime or 2018 semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov.