Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the 2012 men's French Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
At stake for Nadal is a seventh French Open title, which would make him the record-holder for tournament successes in Paris.
Meanwhile, Djokovic has yet to secure the trophy in Paris but victory would make him just the third man in history to hold all four majors at the same time.
The Serbian will remain the world number one even if he loses, but number two Nadal will certainly close the point-gap with another trophy.
Nadal holds a win record of 18-14 against Djokovic and the Spaniard has looked in sensational form in the early rounds of the tournament.
Note that the match starts at 2pm.
19.05Play suspended: Nadal 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2 Djokovic
19.04We tried to fight the weather. But the weather won. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to join us tomorrow for the conclusion of the match.
19.02That's it for today then. Play will be resumed tomorrow at 12.00pm.
19.00PLAY SUSPENDED UNTIL TOMORROW
19.00In fact it is understood that an official decision is expected in 10 minutes or so. Stick around.
19.00On that note. We are going to take a quick break. However, stay with us for the latest news on the state of play! There is still hope...
18.57Unfortunately the position of play is still unclear at the moment. However, stay with us. An official announcement could be close.
18.53UPDATE: Chances of play resuming tonight are 'slim' according to Eurosport.
18.51Latest score: Nadal 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2 Djokovic
18.49Reminder: We are due back on court at 19.00. Play was suspended at 17.52 due to bad weather.
18.45As mentioned earlier. The last time the men's final was not completed on a Sunday was in 1973. It did not conclude until the Tuesday when Ilie Nastase beat Niki Pilic.
18.41What on earth happened to the summer weather by the way? Raining in England, raining in France. Come on!
18.38I would certainly advise against backing our very own James Ward, however, even at the odds of 10000/1!
18.35What about Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro? They can both be backed at 25/1. The pair certainly impressed in this tournament.
18.32Roger Federer can be backed at 4/1. Meanwhile our very own Andy Murray is surely worth a punt at 9/1.
18.28The usual suspects are there with Djokovic and Nadal the favourites in London at 9/4.
18.26Let's take at look at some of the odds for Wimbledon next month. Meanwhile, the last time the men's final was not completed on Sunday was in 1973. Let's hope we can resume at some point.
18.22Meanwhile, switching to the football. Spain and Italy are currently tied at 1-1 in Euro 2012 Group C with 25 minutes left to play.
18.18Let's hope that the previous is true. Remember that is 7pm our time.
18.16JUST IN: Roland Garros on Twitter: "Word is that we might get players back on court at 8pm tonight."
18.13Still no word on when play will resume. Doesn't the weather know that we are trying to watch the tennis? So selfish.
18.11I think Nadal just wanted to watch the second half of Spain's Euro 2012 encounter against Italy. You can follow the live commentary of that here.
18.09Just a reminder that we will have live coverage of Wimbledon at the end of the month. What a summer of sport ahead!
18.06"A fairly substantial delay", say Eurosport. Brilliant!
18.05It does bring me back to my point about a roof in Paris. Why isn't there one?
18.03A word from The Times tennis correspondent Neil Harman on Twitter: "I thought Toni taught Rafa never to lose his cool. There are some angry Nadals about just now. Should be more worried about Djoko."
18.00The covers have been put on the court. That is not great news. We could be in for a long break.
17.58What on earth has happened to Nadal? He has won just one of the last nine games. You just could not see it coming.
17.55"Always the same with you, you never make one decision," Nadal tells the tournament director.
17.52Off the players go again. So frustrating.
17.52PLAY IS SUSPENDED
17.51Latest score: Nadal 6-4 6-3 2-6 1-2 Djokovic
17.51And he does. Finally!
17.50What a time to serve an ace as Nadal moves 40-15 ahead. He just has to hold.
17.46"Do you think it's alright? Do you think conditions is alright? Say yes or no," says Nadal. He is not happy.
17.45There's his eighth game in a row. What are we seeing here? Nadal wants this one called off.
17.43Djokovic breaks! The Serbian takes his seventh straight game to lead 1-0 in the fourth. What a turnaround!
17.40Still Djokovic continues to dominate as he levels it at 40-40 in the first game of the fourth.
17.38Longest rally of the match is lost by Nadal. He trails 15-30.
17.36Nadal is clearly not happy with the conditions in his match. The rain continues to fall.
17.34Here we go then. Fourth set. Nadal to serve.
17.34Latest score: Nadal 6-4 6-3 2-6 Djokovic
17.32SET! Djokovic 6-2 Nadal: Wow. Six game in a row for the Serbian as he takes the third.
17.32Really is terrific from Djokovic. He is just two points away from the third set.
17.30What on earth is Nadal doing? Djokovic secures his fifth game in a row to lead 5-2 in third. The Serbian will serve for the set.
17.30Again Nadal fires wide. Advantage Djokovic.
17.28Nadal fires strangely wide to allow Djokovic back into this one at deuce.
17.26The crowd are with Djokovic in this one. I certainly didn't expect that.
17.24Djokovic fires wide to hand Nadal a 30-15 lead on serve.
17.22New balls for Nadal as more umbrellas go up. Another break in play perhaps?
17.22Djokovic holds to move 4-2 ahead. That's his fourth game in a row.
17.20What did I say about the match being over if Nadal took a 2-0 lead in the third? Shows what I know! 30-0 Djokovic.
17.18Djokovic breaks! Three games in a row for the Serbian as he takes a 3-2 lead in the third set.
17.16Nadal saves one with a delicate drop shot. Still two more break points for Djokovic.
17.16Make that 0-40.
17.14Suddenly it's all Djokovic. 0-30 on the Nadal serve.
17.12Djokovic holds! 2-2 in the third. The Serbian is still alive in this match.
17.11Wow! Djokovic produces a stunning forehand but somehow Nadal fires it straight back from where it came from. Deuce.
17.09However, Djokovic continues to show heart. He leads 40-30 on serve.
17.07Wow. Just wonderful from Nadal as he moves 0-30 ahead. Another break perhaps?
17.05Djokovic breaks back! I did not see that coming. 1-2 in the third set.
17.05Nadal fires wide as he hands Djokovic a 15-40 lead. Two break points for the Serb.
17.03But what do we have here? Djokovic leads 0-30 on the Nadal serve.
17.01Nadal breaks! Just sensational from the Spaniard as he moves 2-0 ahead in the third. He just looks unplayable.
16.59Nadal hits the net as the first goes begging. Two more...
16.570-40. Three break points for Nadal.
16.57It would probably be fair to state that this game is the biggest of the match. If Nadal breaks. Then for me it's over.
16.55Djokovic fires long as Nadal holds to move 1-0 ahead in the third.
16.55Nadal at his defensive best as he survives a series of fine shots to level it at deuce in the opening game of the third.
16.53Brilliant from Djokovic as he opens up the court to release a forehand winner into the corner. Break point.
16.51Is there any back for Djokovic in this match? It will take some effort.
16.49Latest score: Nadal 6-4 6-3 Djokovic
16.47SET! Nadal 6-3 Djokovic: Nadal takes it with a powerful forehand. It's a long way back for the world number one from here.
16.46The Serbian saves one with a powerful serve. But Nadal has another...
16.46Djokovic fires long! Nadal has two set-points.
16.44Not the greatest start from the Serbian as he finds the net.
16.43Here we go then. Djokovic to serve.
16.40Latest score: Nadal 6-4 5-3 Djokovic
16.40PLAY IS RESUMED
16.38Both players are just knocking up again.
16.36The players have just been called back onto the court. Fantastic news.
16.34No we won't! I bring good news. Play is expected to resume shortly.
16.34On that note. We will take a quick 10 minute break. Stay with us!
16.32It is understood that 15 more minutes of rain is expected. We will keep you updated.
16.28First serve points won: Djokovic 55%-61% Nadal.
Second serve points won: Djokovic 44%-58% Nadal.
Break points saved: Djokovic 55%-25% Nadal.
Second serve points won: Djokovic 44%-58% Nadal.
Break points saved: Djokovic 55%-25% Nadal.
16.26Aces: Djokovic 0-2 Nadal.
Double faults: Djokovic 3-4 Nadal.
First serve percentage: Djokovic 48%-60% Nadal.
Double faults: Djokovic 3-4 Nadal.
First serve percentage: Djokovic 48%-60% Nadal.
16.24Let's take a closer look at both players' stats thus far.
16.22I'm all for tennis matches out in the open. However, I do believe that all final venues should have a roof. In a fight against the elements, there is only ever one winner.
16.20So what have we thought of the match thus far? Nadal certainly started the better. Meanwhile, Djokovic continues to get frustrated with his inability to win the long rallies.
16.18A word from Press Association correspondent Eleanor Crooks on Twitter: "Considering it's been raining practically all match, have to wonder when they'll be back."
16.16It was predicated that rain would interupt us at some point. No word on how long as of yet.
16.14Latest score: Nadal 6-4 4-3 Djokovic
16.12The rain has caused a break in play after an hour and 53 minutes.
16.12PLAY SUSPENDED
16.10Game Nadal. The Spaniard leads 5-3 in the second set.
16.10Djokovic's forehand continues to struggle as Nadal moved 40-0 ahead. Meanwhile, the rain continues to fall.
16.08Nadal continues to run around his forehand as he moves 30-0 on serve. Just too good.
16.06Djokovic is given a warning as he smashes the bench with his racquet. Can the Serbian channel his anger in this match?
16.04Brilliant, just brilliant from Nadal as fires a wonderful forehand to break Djokovic. The former leads 4-3 in the second.
16.02It's long from Djokovic. Break point Nadal.
16.00These two really cannot be seperated as we move deeper into the second set. 3-3 30-30.
15.58Nadal secures the game as he catches the line. 3-3 in the second set.
15.56Unreal sportsmanship from Djokovic as he concedes the point even though the umpire had called for a replay. That's true style from the Serbian.
15.54Djokovic holds to move 3-2 ahead in the second. Meanwhile, the rain is getting steadily heavier. I would expect a break in the coming minutes.
15.52Former Barcelona and Holland striker Patrick Kluivert is in the crowd today. His umbrella is also up.
15.52Djokovic throws his racquet as he fires the ball long. The crowd didn't like that one.
15.50The rain is getting slightly heavier...
15.48And there's the break back for Djokovic as he secures it with a forehand lob. 2-2 on serve in the second.
15.46Here we go. Djokovic sets up two break points with a backhand pass.
15.44Another double-fault from Nadal as the pair sit at 15-15 on the Spaniard's serve.
15.42The drizzle continues in Paris. However, the good news is that it remains light.
15.40The Serbian holds, however, to cut the score to 2-1 in the second set.
15.38Djokovic moves 40-30 ahead as Nadal fires long. However, the Spaniard runs round his forehand to level this one at deuce.
15.36Nadal just will not go away, however, and Djokovic hits the net to allow the Spaniard to level it at 30-30.
15.36That's more like it from Djokovic as he moves 15-0 ahead.
15.34Indeed he can. Nadal holds to move into a 2-0 lead in the second.
15.34Nadal gobbles up the smash to move advantage ahead. Can he hold to move into a 2-0 lead?
15.32Just sensational from Djokovic as he produces a backhand top-spin lob. It really was that good.
15.30And it's wide from Nadal as Djokovic levels it at deuce in the second game of the second set.
15.30Double-fault from Nadal as he hands Djokovic a way back into this game. 40-30.
15.28Nadal bosses from the baseline with his forehand as he pounces at the net to move 15-0 lead.
15.2617 unforced errors for Djokovic thus far. Just the 10 for Nadal.
15.26Double-fault for Djokovic as Nadal moves a break ahead in the second.
15.26A word from tennis coach and commentator Brad Gilbert on Twitter: "Rafa one set to the good huge for Djoker to keep attacking the Fearhand of RN so he can not run around and dictate with the fearhand."
15.24Oh my goodness me! What an incredible shot from Djokovic as he loops a forehand from right to left. He had no right to make that shot. Deuce.
15.22But what do we have here. Djokovic fires long. Break point Nadal.
15.20Again it's just brilliant from both players as Nadal somehow gathers a drop shot at the net. The Serbian leads 30-15 on serve.
15.18SET! Nadal 6-4 Djokovic: First set to Nadal after the best part of an hour. What a match thus far.
15.16Best rally of the match, and the longest with 25 strokes. Nadal wins it with a delicate drop shot. Set point.
15.14Perfect start from Nadal as he moves 15-0 ahead. And it's quickly 30-0 with a smash down the middle.
15.12Djokovic's best service game of the match as he moves 5-4 behind. However, Nadal will now serve for the opening set.
15.10Wow! That just may be better from Djokovic as he lobs Nadal on the run. Just sensational.
15.08Perfection from Djokovic as he releases the first drop shot of the match to move 15-0 ahead. That is just 10/10 from the Serbian.
15.06And he takes it. Djokovic fires wide. Nadal leads 3-5 in the opening set.
15.06Again it's fantastic hitting from both men but Djokovic catches the ball with a slice to send it out of play. Nadal with the chance to move 5-3 ahead.
15.04Grim look from Djokovic as he fires long to allow Nadal into the game at 15-15.
15.02It's almost as if neither player wants to hold their serve. The pressure is affecting them both.
15.00Nadal breaks once more! Both players are certainly feeling it in this first set. Nadal will serve for the chance to go 5-3 ahead.
14.58Djokovic staves off a break point as Nadal fires wide. We sit at 40-40. This one just could not be closer.
14.56Brilliant hitting from both players but it's Djokovic who strikes the net. Nadal leads 15-30.
14.56Break! Djokovic gets this one back on serve with another break. We sit at 3-3. The Serbian has won the last three games.
14.54I think Nadal wants to get this one over with so he can watch his country in Euro 2012 action against Italy. However, Djokovic is having none of it. Deuce.
14.52Oh it's just wide from Djokovic as he attempts to switch the play with a powerful forehand on the rise. Just.
14.52Djokovic levels it at 40-40 once more after Nadal had the chance to hold.
14.50Dkokovic reminds us why he is the world number one, however, to level it at deuce with a powerful forehand.
14.48Much more urgency in that point from Nadal as he moves 40-30 ahead.
14.48Just brilliant from Djokovic as she pounces on a short forehand to release a winner into the deuce court. 15-30.
14.48Djokovic looks to be over the start that saw him make 10 unforced errors in the opening four games. Can he secure another break back?
14.46It's just drizzling on court. Go away!
14.44However, Djokovic does hold. 3-2 Nadal in the opening set.
14.42Nadal has not given up in this game, however, and he cuts it to 40-30.
14.40Suddenly it's all Djokovic as he comes to the net to move 30-0 ahead on serve. Meanwhile, the umbrellas are going up in the crowd.
14.38Nadal had lost his serve just once in the tournament before today. Make that twice. Djokovic breaks to trail 1-3.
14.36But he fires long. We sit at deuce in the fourth game of the first set.
14.36The Serbian again strikes the net - allowing Nadal the chance to move 4-0 ahead.
14.34Djokovic looks like a man who has just been told that his favourite ice cream is sold out. But this is the world number one, remember, and I expect him to respond.
14.34So 3-0 Nadal on serve. It's impossible to imagine how he could have started any better.
14.32It's long from Djokovic! Nadal secures the double break after 13 minutes to lead 3-0.
14.32Just too good from Nadal as he releases a passing forehand shot to secure two more double break points.
14.30Brilliant response from Djokovic, however, as he moves 15-30 behind with a powerful serve.
14.30Nadal leads 0-30 on the Djokovic serve once more.
14.30Just frightening from Nadal as he releases a forehand winner down the line. How good was that?
14.28It's a love game for Nadal as he moves 2-0 ahead. Some start.
14.26Nadal continues to dominate in the early stages as he moves 15-0 ahead. Explosive start from the current champion.
14.24Break! It's long from Djokovic as Nadal secures the immediate break.
14.24Wow. That is exactly the sort of tennis we want to see. Brilliant from both players but it's Nadal who wins the point with a sensational backhand.
14.22Nadal hits the net once more as Djokovic moves 30-40 behind. Meanwhile, an explosive forehand levels it at deuce.
14.20Nadal moves 0-40 ahead with a backhand. However, Djokovic saves the first break point as the Spaniard hits the net.
14.18Djokovic hits the net as Nadal moves 0-30 up on the Serbian's serve. Will the Spaniard break in the opening game?
14.18Talk about start as you mean to go on. Nadal takes the opening point of the match with a brilliant forehand.
14.16So here we go then! We are underway.
14.14Both players are practicing their serve. Don't they know we are waiting?
14.12Interesting fact: If Nadal loses today. He will drop to number three in the world with Roger Federer moving above him.
14.10Who are we backing then? I'm sticking with Djokovic. Which of course means Nadal will win.
14.07Incredible welcoming for both players. Let's get this show on the road.
14.05A word from Djokovic as he enters the court: "I am excited for the first time in my career to be in the Roland Garros final."
14.03There is a vast grey cloud above Court
Philippe Chatrier. Not good news!
Philippe Chatrier. Not good news!
14.01We are 10 minutes away from the start. Both players are expected on court shortly.
13.58So why is Nadal so good on this service? The game is slower, therefore allowing the Spaniard more time to generate spin and power on each stroke.
13.55The final of the Australian Open between these two lasted just shy of six hours. Will we have another repeat? It could be longer if the rain comes!
13.52Former Great Britain number one Virginia Wade believes that the power between the two players is moving Nadal's way. Do we agree?
13.50Nadal's coach and uncle Toni Nadal has just told reporters that the Spaniard is "feeling good" ahead of the match.
13.48Nadal's forehand is undoubtedly his strongest asset. Meanwhile, Djokovic's backhand is rightly considered to be the strongest in the sport.
13.46Looking at both players' strengths for a moment. Neither has the best serve on tour. However, both possess exceptional returning skills and I expect that to be a key area this afternoon.
13.43An early look at the weather forecast suggests that we should be good for a 2pm start. However, rain is expected later in the afternoon.
13.41Nadal may be the favourite on this surface. However, Djokovic won all six matches between the two in 2011 and he will certainly enter full of confidence.
13.39The Spaniard continued: "I'll have to continue and practice and work and keep my focus until Sunday. So far I got off to a really good start. I'm really satisfied with what's happened. I'm really happy about the things that life has given me so far."
13.39Meanwhile, Nadal told reporters: "I won in Rome and Monte Carlo because my tennis was better against Djokovic. Beating him gave me more confidence. I work daily; I practice daily. Each time you're on the court, you know that you might lose. So I have to keep a low profile about it; we have to be humble."
13.36Djokovic continued: "It's the ultimate challenge. He won the last two encounters we had on clay in Monte Carlo and Rome. But I won against him on clay last year two times, back-to-back in eight days, and that's something that is in the back of my mind. That's something that can give me confidence when I step on the court on Sunday."
13.36A word from Djokovic prior to the match: "This is a different surface, different circumstances. He always plays his best at Roland Garros, and so I expect him to do that as well on Sunday. I know that I have to be playing consistently well on a very high level in order to win best of five against Nadal," he told reporters.
13.33And the Spaniard told reporters that he will enter the final full of confidence.
13.33The Spaniard also entered the French Open with clay court titles in Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Rome - where he beat Djokovic.
13.31Nadal has a staggering record of 51 wins and just one defeat at Roland Garros and he has yet to lose a single set in the tournament this year. He has also won 71 of his 72 service games at this year's Roland Garros.
13.28Andreas Seppi also gave the Serbian a fright by taking a two-set lead over the world number one in the fourth round.
13.28Meanwhile, Djokovic has had plenty of trouble advancing to the final. He saved several match points against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-final.
13.25Nadal's destruction of well-respected clay player David Ferrer in the semi-finals was arguably the Spaniard's finest performance on this surface. He saw his fellow countryman off in three sets, and looked at ease throughout.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
