@eliudprom update Nadal beats Djokovic in five-set thriller

Throughout those lonely winter months as he tried to heal his knees and faced an uncertain future, Rafael Nadal could scarcely have dreamed of being part of the extraordinary events that took place at Roland Garros.

The drama on Court Philippe Chatrier overflowed as he finally denied Novak Djokovic a place in the French Open final with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7 victory during which he looked to have won three times before he ultimately did.

Thriller! Nadal won an epic semi-final with Djokovic to set up a Sunday final date

Djokovic’s reputation as the Rasputin of tennis — the player who refuses to die — was enhanced by this four hour, 36 minute marathon.

But even he could not defy Nadal, who has now won 58 out of 59 matches at this venue and will seek an incredible eighth title in the French capital tomorrow.

All there was to separate him and Djokovic in their 35th meeting — arguably one more remarkable even than their epic at last year’s Australian Open — was the final game when the Serb’s concentration suddenly cracked and he was broken to love.

Serving up a treat: The pair delivered a thrilling semi-final display at Roland Garros

Djokovic had spent the changeover complaining to umpire Pascal Maria about the sun-baked nature of the surface on which he was struggling with his footing, demanding that it should be watered, and that finally seemed to tip him over the edge.

He was still cross about it afterwards, saying: ‘I was told that the groundsman makes the final decision about this and then the supervisor (Stefan Fransson, who he summoned out to the court at 6-7) told me he makes the final decision.

‘It was too slippery and difficult to change direction. It was wrong what they did.’

The world No 1 had already looked into the abyss three times in a match that could have put him within one win of completing his full set of Grand Slams.

Rollercoaster: Djokovic was made to work hard to beat Nadal who was in stunning form

Rollercoaster: Nadal was made to work hard to beat Djokovic who was also in stunning form

Rollercoaster: Djokovic just couldn't handle Nadal who was in irrepressible form

He played a curiously listless third set, lost it 6-1 and looked down and out, and then twice in the fourth set — at 3-4 and 5-6 — needed to break back to keep his hopes alive.

He survived before clinching the tiebreak to take the match down to the equivalent of an old-style, 15-round, heavyweight bout.

At 4-3 and deuce in the fifth he had a simple, high volley on top of the net, but was so eager that he could not stop himself running into the cord before the ball had bounced twice, therefore losing the point. Djokovic also received a time violation in that game, as Nadal had done twice previously.

The enforcement of the rule has rarely looked more hopelessly inconsistent, with the Spaniard regularly taking 30 seconds-plus between points and getting away with it.

Again Djokovic was unhappy with the procedure concerning a rule which says only 20 seconds should be taken.

King of Clay: The Spaniard has set up a final date and is hoping to win his eighth French Open title

‘Rules are there to be respected,’ he said. ‘I am OK with it as long as I am given a warning to speed up, but that didn’t happen to me or my opponent.’

brazil 2014 zone europe Belgium take one step closer towards World Cup qualification

It proved to be a dramatic night in the European section of the World Cup qualifiers and it wasn’t just shock results that took centre stage on the continent.

Belgium continue to storm towards qualifying for their first major tournament in 12 years and it appears will give blood, sweat and tears to make it to Brazil 2014.

Watered down: An official clears off the excess blood from Vincent Kompany

Stem the flow: Kompany receives treatment following his clash with Serbia keeper Vladimir Stojkovic

Concern: Serbia players came to the aid of Kompany following the collision with Stojkovic

Happy ending: Kompany celebrates with Belgium team-mates after securing victory against Serbia

Making a point: Kevin De Bruyne celebrates opening the scoring for Belgium

Comfortable lead: Marouane Fellaini doubled Belgium's advantage

ohhh Mario Balotelli sees red and fights WALL after sending off in Prague

Mario Balotelli was seen fighting with a wall after picking up two yellow cards in Italy's 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in Prague.

The AC Milan striker was rather harshly sent off with just under 20 minutes remaining but then lost his temper with the referee, Italian coaching staff and officials, before he took his frustrations out on a wall by punching it as he went down the tunnel.

VIDEO Scroll down for video of Mario Balotelli being sent off in Prague