French Open: Nine-time champion Nadal crushed by Djokovic

Spain's Rafael Nadal (left) shakes hands with Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the end of their men's quarter final match of the Roland Garros 2015 French Tennis Open in Paris on June 3, 2015. -- PHOTO: AFP
Spain's Rafael Nadal (left) shakes hands with Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the end of their men's quarter final match of the Roland Garros 2015 French Tennis Open in Paris on June 3, 2015. -- PHOTO: AFP

PARIS (AFP) - Novak Djokovic crushed nine-time champion Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to move into the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday, condemning the great Spaniard to just his second defeat in 72 matches at Roland Garros.

It was world No. 1 and top seed Djokovic's first win over Nadal in seven meetings in Paris, avenging his defeats in the 2012 and 2014 finals.

It also eased him closer to a first French Open title and the completion of a career Grand Slam.

Djokovic will play his 26th career Grand Slam semi-final on Friday against either British third seed Andy Murray or Spain's 2013 runner-up David Ferrer.

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