Let Battle Commence, Says Djokovic Ahead of Nadal Showdown

Let Battle Commence, Says Djokovic Ahead of Nadal Showdown
Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his quarter-final match against Italy's Matteo Berrettini at the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on June 9, 2021. Christian Hartmann/Reuters
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Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will add another chapter to their rivalry when they face off in a much-anticipated clash on Friday but there will be more at stake than just a spot in the French Open final.

A semi-final battle between world number one Djokovic and 13-time Roland Garros winner Nadal was the expected outcome once they were placed on the same side of the draw after the Spaniard slipped down the rankings to third behind Russian Daniil Medvedev.