What an incredible final, spread over two days. Double-figure breaks of service, rain breaks that changed the momentum back and forth and the two greatest players in the world at the moment going at it hammer and tongs. I hope you enjoyed following it today, yesterday and indeed throughout the entire 16 days. We'll be back next year - the qualifiers are only 345 days away! See you then!
2.15 pm: Now Rafa has to try his French - and he does! Good on him! And when it calls it the best tournament in the world, he gets a great round of applause! And he promises to come back next year - to the delight of the fans and the chagrin no doubt of his opponents! And there he is, biting the trophy. A sight we've become used to over the years!
2.14 pm: In his now customary French, Nole congratulates Rafa and his team, and thanks the public, to great applause.
2.11 pm: And up comes Rafa to raise the Coupe des Mousquetaires for a record seventh time! And now he stands proudly atop a pedestal as the Spanish national anthem rings out around Philippe Chatrier court.
2.10 pm: Mats Wilander, a three-time winner in 1982, 1985 and 1988, is on court to present the trophies to all those who took part in the final.
2.02 pm: I don't believe it! The first one was netted after someone in the crowd shouted and Nole lost his rhythm and started the all-bouncing all over again, and the second one was a kick service that went just long. Rafa is up among his entourage, hugging everyone as well he might. RAFA WINS 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
2 pm: Rafa dominates the next one, pushes Nole left and right and then fires one into the corner. 30-40, MATCH POINT! Second service... DOUBLE FAULT! JUST LONG! RAFA WINS!
1.58 pm: Rafa nets on the first point, Nole longs on the second one, unforced. 15-all as the Serbinator again serves to stay in the match. Nole then dominates the next rally and finishes with aplomb. 30-15. And then another unforced forehand error (though it was a great service return from Rafa). 30-all.
1.54 pm: Nole then goes long: 40-30 Rafa... And then we have a cracking rally. Great shots, a few poor decisions in terms of placement, Rafa slices, Nole comes in but his lob is long. 6-5 Rafa!
1.51 pm: Rafa leads 30-love, then Nole hits a backhand down the line, the rally continues, Nole wins and Rafa goes back to check the earlier mark, but like with Hawkeye, you can't carry on. 30-15 and Rafa accepts his fate after a quick discussion. Great service return then helps Nole make it 30-all...
1.44 pm: In the end it was merely a long change-over - we're back under way again! Nole serving to stay alive. An early exchange of points makes it 15-all... Great attacking from Noley Noles and a fine smash - 30-15. Next up we get an incredible rally which Nole again dominates, pulling out an incredible two-handed backhand and hitting it at an astounding angle. 40-15. Big service next up and it's 5-5! And the sun is out!
1.42 pm: The rain has got heavier and play is suspended! The players are staying on court, which isn't being covered...
1.40 pm: Rafa dominates every point as the rain continues to fall. 5-4 Rafa, a hold to love. Djokovic will have to serve to stay in the match. Tournament referee Stefan Fransson is out discussing with Nadal and chair umpire Damien Dumusois. And we're staying on!
1.32 pm: Umbrellas going up... play continues... 15-all on the Nole service. Then at 30-all Nole follows in on service which seems to put Rafa off and the Matador from Manacor nets. 40-30. And then the Serbinator aces out wide! 4-4!
1.30 pm: Two cracking forehands from Rafa make it 30-love. 10 points... Ah, and then he goes well long despite being under no pressure (other than the obvious - i.e. he's playing the world No.1 in front of millions of TV viewers the world over and the match is in the balance). 30-15. Nole then nets a two-handed backhand, 40-15, and then Rafa reaches back behind him to curl a forehand just over the net, cross-court and so short that Noley Noles can't get anywhere near it. Rafa leads 4-3.
1.24 pm: 15-all on the Nole service as a Rafa crosscourt turns into a line-seeking missile. Nole then dominates, Rafa hits a couple of forehands just wide (juuuuust wide) and Nole gets on the board for the first time today. 3-3.
1.23 pm: Rafa's bidding to win his 11th Slam today, level with Borg and Laver, both winners here on multiple occasions. Only Federer (16), Sampras (14) and Roy Emerson (12) have more.
1.20 pm: Wow, Rafa has been quicker out of the blocks each time this match has started or restarted. And he's already 30-love up in this service game. 14 more points... Deep service into the body and Nole slashes it long. 40-0. Nole then goes long again and Rafa holds to love. Eight points out of ten this afternoon. Rafa leads 3-2.
1.14 pm: Rafa longs after a long rally and Djoker is first on the board. Nole then does likewise next up and it's 15-all. Another exchange of points - four big rallies so far. 30-all. A fifth great rally, Djokoboss attacks, Rafa defends and then Nole nets! 30-40, break point! Can Rafa get off to yet another great start, like he did twice yesterday? Nole bashes himself on the head with his racquet, as well he might. Another rally, more Djoker dominance, then he comes to the net but leaves himself wide open and Nadal rips a two-handed backhander cross-court! 2-2, Rafa breaks back!
1.12 pm: Right, Djokovic to serve, leading 2-1 but two sets to one down. Don't forget, Rafa lost eight games in a row last night but snapped that streak just before the rains came.
1.05 pm: OK, here we go, players out on court! Cool and windy but set fair to finish off this match!
12.05 pm: Good afternoon everyone one, and welcome to the men's final redux! As was the case yesterday, all eyes are still on the weather and at the moment, it's looking fine. And in any case we're starting at 1pm CET so we have plenty of time for Novak Djokovic to continue the comeback he started last night and complete his career Slam and hold all four majors at once, or for Nadal to get the five games he needs to secure a record-breaking seventh French Open title.
I have no idea how this thriller is going to turn out, but write in let me know what you think, either below or via our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages.
