An inspired Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal’s reign in Paris with a gripping four-set win in a classic French Open semi-final which is sure to go down as one of the greatest matches at Roland Garros.

World number one Djokovic won 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in over four hours against defending champion Nadal. It was win that avenged the Serbs loss in last year’s final.

The 35-year-old Spaniard, going for a record-extending 14th title, lost for only the third time in 108 matches with Djokovic the only man to have defeated him twice at the French Open.

The Serbian great showed great mettle to recover from losing the first set to win the next three, saving a set point in the third set before recovering from a break to dominate the fourth.

Djokovic, 34, must now recover to play Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.

The 22-year-old Greek reached his first Grand Slam final by beating German sixth seed Alexander Zverev in a five-set epic earlier on Friday.