Djokovic and Nadal receive standing ovation for a 23-shot marathon rally

Djokovic led Nadal by a set before the game was suspended.

Rafael Nadal played Novak Djokovic in the second semifinal of Wimbledon 2018 yesterday. Their match was delayed due to a marathon match between Kevin Anderson and John Isner, with the former emerging as a winner after over six hours. The final set finished 26-24 in the favour of South African.

And it seemed like it was a day of tennis marathons, as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic pulled out an absolutely scintillating display of tennis. Until the game was suspended, the scoreline read 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in the favour of the Serb.

While the match between Anderson and Isner was more of a serving duel, Nadal and Djokovic played on the baseline, with both forcing each other on chasing the ball.

The rally:

Towards the tie-breaker of the third set, Nadal and Djokovic played a 23-shot rally which pushed each other to the absolute limits.

Many of the best points of the match came in the tie-breaker round, and this might just be the best of all. Rafael Nadal won the rally with a half-volley drop shot in the end. However, Novak Djokovic came back strong to clinch the third set, with tie-breaker ending at a scoreline of 11-9 for the Serbian tennis star.

Here is the rally.

With the clock ticking a few minutes past 11, organisers had to call off the match. However, after a few seconds of annoyance among the crowd, both players walked off the court to a massive standing ovation.

The game will be continued today.