Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of the second French Open men's semi-final with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal defending his title yet again and world number one Novak Djokovic the latest star to attempt to usurp him at Roland Garros. We will be bringing you live game-by-game updates from this huge match very shortly.

BREAK! - NADAL 6-3 2-4 DJOKOVIC. That is a sensational return game from the top seed. He jumps into a crosscourt backhand to nail an early winner and then has the King of Clay sliding all over his favoured turf trying to fend off the onslaught to his baseline. Nadal saves one of three break points with a crunching forehand and then another with a delicious touch in a face-off at the net. It has to be that god from the No.3 seed who can’t manage another clutch point and coughs up another break when he scuffs a forehand into the tramlines on the stretch.

NADAL 6-3 2-3 DJOKOVIC. It’s pretty comfortable for Novak. Nadal fires a return long, fizzes a backhand wide and then flashes into the net off the same wing. He can’t come close to applying any pressure and the Serb nudges the board again with a hold to 15.

NADAL 6-3 2-2 DJOKOVIC. That’s excellent from Nadal. He’s cranked it up a gear to add more depth to his own looping forehand and it’s earning more errors from Novak. The Spaniard corks a brilliant serve down the middle T to take charge at 40-30 and manages to ease through to level.

BREAK! - NADAL 6-3 1-2 DJOKOVIC. Beware the wounded bull indeed. Nadal dusts himself down and finds some super angle and length to the return to put Novak under intense pressure. The No.3 seed then unloads a backhand winner down the line to break back to love.

BREAK! - NADAL 6-3 0-2 DJOKOVIC. The momentum was shifting at the end of Set 1 and it’s clear on the scoreboard now. Djoker bullies Nadal way back beyond the baseline with magnificent depth to snare triple break point. Nadal saves one with a sensational drop shot as he back pedalled. However, the Spaniard scorches just wide with a crosscourt forehand and the Serb roars in delight. He’s very much in this match now.

NADAL 6-3 0-1 DJOKOVIC. Djoker gets away with a fortunate net cord for 30-0 and Nadal sizzles just wide off both wings to allow the Serb his most comfortable hold of the match so far.

SET! - NADAL 6-3 DJOKOVIC. “Vamos!” That’s the scream of Nadal as he produces a sensational defensive lob to clock up three more set points. Somehow he doesn’t take a fourth with an overhead smash that Djoker blocks into the open court and a fifth goes begging when he lobs long. He’s tight now and a sixth sizzles into the net from a weak forehand. A big serve earns a seventh opportunity and this time it is done as Djoker can only defend a rasping forehand into the net.

NADAL 5-3 DJOKOVIC. Nadal threatens with a trademark crosscourt forehand to make 0-30 and then the same shot forces a long error for a third set point. The world number one saves it with a nervy overhead and then plays a wonderful point to guide home the winner and take charge. Nadal will now look to serve it out for a second time…

BREAK! - NADAL 5-2 DJOKOVIC. Rafa’s first serve initially goes AWOL and Djoker pounces to make life very difficult. A brilliant early return takes the top seed to 0-30 before a superb drop shot snares two more break points. Nadal saves one with a wonderful wrong-footing forehand on the back pedal before dominating the next rally to earn an error and make deuce. The 13-time champion plays clutch tennis to earn two separate set points but Novak refuses to let him take the opener. The pendulum swings the way of the Serb when the No.3 seed loops just long and Nole finally converts via Nadal’s double fault. Set on?

NADAL 5-1 DJOKOVIC. No repeat of last year. Nadal fires two returns long and the Serb corks a backhand pass up the line to take control. Nadal threatens to apply more pressure with a banana shot up the line but then hits another into the net as he looked to make deuce. Novak is on the board.

NADAL 5-0 DJOKOVIC. The top seed whistles a millimetre long and then just wide. It seems to be all against him until Nadal gives him hope with a second double fault. Another of those very familiar rallies ensues but Djokovic sizzles long again and Nadal edges the game to 30 with a timely big first serve. It's 5-0 and yet it feels like it's been a lot closer than that.

BREAK! - NADAL 4-0 DJOKOVIC. The world number one is struggling at this moment in time. He looked superb in that opener but since being broken he’s gone away for a while. Nadal draws two more break points with a high bouncing forehand that the Serb can only drag well off court via the backhand. Novak then dumps a tight forehand into the net and Rafa has the double break.

NADAL 3-0 DJOKOVIC. The No.3 seed sizzles a winner and follows up with a beauty of a drop shot that nicks the net on its way over. The Mallorcan doesn’t look back from there as he consolidates with a love hold. What an intriguing start to this match.

BREAK! - NADAL 2-0 DJOKOVIC. Wow! That is incredible. Djokovic looks nervy throughout and Nadal ups the ante deep in the game to pinch it and break. The Spaniard hits a thunderous forehand winner from 40-15 down and then digs in at deuce when the Serb dumps a timid drop shot into the net. Nadal conjures up some magic with a delicious pick-up crosscourt to snare BP and then converts with majestic court coverage after Nole again struggled in the air.

NADAL 1-0 DJOKOVIC. It’s a brilliant start from Nole – but it’s Nadal who hangs on to hold after a tense nine-minute opener! Djokovic was overwhelmed early last year but he’s in-tune from the off here. Nadal finds some big serves but the Serb charges in on a poor drop shot and rifles away a backhand winner. A deep, probing approach then forces an error into the net from Rafa and it’s an immediate break opportunity. An ace saves it but Novak is getting the greater length and earns a second chance. Again, Nadal finds a clutch serve down the T to swat it away but just when he seems set to close it out he double faults. The pressure mounts as the clock ticks on in a very lengthy opener. Nadal somehow reaches a lob to the far corner and forces Djoker to play an overhead that he blazes long. Nadal then escapes when the Serb misses again with a crosscourt attempt.

Here we go! Nadal will serve first...