WATCH: Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic bring back the magic in Rome

It was episode 51 of the famed ‘Djokovic-Nadal’ rivalry and the old-school tennis romantic longed for a competitive clash.

It had been long since the two warriors indulged in those long and demanding baseline exchanges, one’s that got you a little bored during the middle of the rally and then made you stand and applaud after the end of every point.

It was magic all along, one that hypnotised you and one that kept you longing for more. The baseline exchanges between them was like meditation for tennis fans all round, it soothed them.

And it was back yesterday.

The tennis world rejoiced, the world was normal again. Djokovic was back to his ‘ball-striking’ best, raising his arms and egging them crowd on.

Nadal was there, indefatigable as always, chasing down every ball and making shots that maybe should not be allowed on the Tennis court.

However, at the end Nadal cruised through or at least that is what the scoreline suggests, as he brushed aside Djokovic’s challenge in two straight sets(7-6, 6-3).

But the match wasn’t drab for one bit, as Novak was up for the challenge all along.

The best part came during the first set, with Nadal serving, Djokovic hit a wonderful off-forehand to take the advantage in the rally before Nadal got back into it with a deep return.

Djokovic then dished out a wonderful drop shot to bring Nadal to the net. The duo had a few exchanges at the net, before Djokovic buried the point with a wonderful forehand winner.

Check out the video:

Nadal will now take on Zverev in the final today. A win for Nadal today will bring him back to the summit of the ATP rankings.