Nadal and Djokovic must return to finish Paris duel

The encounter was halted with Nadal leading 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2 but the momentum was with the Serb who had launched an early evening fightback. It had been a intriguing encounter.

Nadal came into the match the overwhelming favourite and quickly took it by the scruff, claiming the first two sets.

His rasping forehand winners pierced holes in Djokovic’s defensive armour as he looked to be running away with the match, while the Serb was doing all he could just to keep hold of his temper.

He twice showed his petulance by tossing his racket and smashing his chair as he lost control of the second set.

But as the drizzle began to fall and the evening gloom set in, Djokovic launched a resilient revolt and roared in delight as he secured a second break in the third before comfortably closing it out.

It was then the Spaniard’s turn to get rattled. Nadal began to lose his cool at the beginning of the fourth as persistent light rain made visibility tough and conditions treacherous underfoot.

It was not just a trophy and a 1.25 million euro ($1.56 million) prizemoney on the line: Djokovic was bidding to become only the third man to win all four grand slams consecutively while Nadal was hoping to become the outright holder of the record for Roland Garros titles.