Novak Djokovic survives five-set thriller, to face Rafael Nadal in French Open final

New Delhi : Top ranked Tennis player Novak Djokovic made it to the finals of French Open after registering a thrilling five-set victory on Saturday. He will now face 12-time champion Rafael Nadal, who advanced earlier Friday.

Djokovic defeated fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 in their semifinal to reach the final at Roland Garros for the fifth time.

"I stayed calm on the surface," Djokovic said, "but deep down, it was a totally different matter."

After the fourth set, Djokovic changed socks and shoes, and Tsitsipas got a medical visit for a check of his left leg.

"I believe my body was not ready,'' Tsitsipas acknowledged afterward. "Physically, I wasn't really there."

On Sunday, Djokovic and Nadal will be meeting for the 56th time in their career.

Nadal defeated 12th-seeded Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (0) on Friday in a semifinal filled with grueling, grinding points.

The women's final is Saturday, with Sofia Kenin, a 21-year-old from the U.S., taking on Iga Swiatek, a 19-year-old from Poland.