PARIS (AFP) - Defending champion Rafael Nadal moved closer to a historic eighth French Open tennis title on Friday when he defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 9-7 in a pulsating semi-final.

Nadal, the third seed, will face either home hope Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Spanish compatriot David Ferrer in the final.