Live Commentary: Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic - as it happened

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the men's French Open final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

After two weeks of competition, this year's French Open will conclude with the final that we were all expecting, but that doesn't mean that anyone will be disappointed with the final lineup - this has the potential to be an all-out war between two of the greatest players that the sport has ever seen.

Unsurprisingly, Nadal and Djokovic, who currently hold the the top two positions in the ATP world rankings, have met once or twice before - 41 times to be exact. Nadal leads that battle by 22 to 19, while he is incredibly dominant on clay, winning 13 of their 17 meetings. However, Djokovic comes into today's final having beaten Nadal in their last four meetings for the loss of just one set. Many will have Nadal has the clear favourite, but this is a two-horse race and Djokovic has every chance of winning his first Roland Garros crown this afternoon.

As you can see from the photo, the crowd are beginning to make their way to Philippe-Chatrier in what appear to be fantastic conditions for a tennis match.

We turn our attention from the Legends on Lenglen to Legends about take Philippe Chatrier @DjokerNole vs @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/0eDg7ZAA3X

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) June 8, 2014

So then, what can be said of each player's run to the final? In truth, not a lot! Both men have been pretty much faultless throughout their respective campaigns. Nadal has dropped just one set in his six matches - which came against an relentless David Ferrer during their last-eight encounter on Wednesday - while Djokovic has lost just two sets, one each to Marin Cilic and Ernests Gulbis. Something is going to have to give today, though!

We are still 15 minutes away from the two men making their way onto court, so I'm going to take the opportunity to bring you up-to-date on developments regarding Andy Murray and his new coach...

Two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo has been named as the Brit's new coach, initially for the grass-court season. Mauresmo, who has previously coached Michael Llodra, had been one of a number of names who had been linked with the role, but after weeks of speculation, Murray has finally made a decision ahead of his attempt to defend his titles at Queen's and Wimbledon.

Ahead of this contest, the two players have won 19 Grand Slam titles between them. Nadal, who has won at Roland Garros on eight occasions, is looking for his 14th major championship, while Djokovic is searching for his seventh.

PREDICTION! While I expect Djokovic to remain competitive throughout the match, it's hard to see him getting the better of the clay-court legend over the course of five sets. The Nadal forehand was being executed perfectly during his rout of Andy Murray during the semi-finals, and if it is in full working order this afternoon, Djokovic is going to find himself on the back foot for much of the contest.

After what seemed to be an eternity of limbering up, the two men are making their way out onto a packed Philippe-Chatrier.

The pre-match photos and pleasantries have been conducted. We are onto the warm-up, so I would say that we will be getting underway in around five minutes time.

Time has been called and both players march back to their seats. Strap yourself in, folks - this has the potential to be a classic. Djokovic will serve first.

Djokovic takes the first point after a medium-length exchange before Nadal nets from the baseline. Nadal finds his rhythm with the forehand on the next point, but a cross-court backhand from Djokovic forces the Spaniard to go long. Nadal responds with a forehand winner down the line, but Djokovic gets on the board with a winner of his own.

Djokovic gifts the first two points of the game to his opponent with shots into the net before a backhand goes long to give Nadal three game points. A fourth error of the game from the Serbian sees Nadal level things up.

Djokovic goes wide with a cross-court backhand to give Nadal 0-15, but an ace and a one-two off his serve sees him restore order. The pair have the crowd on their feet after a ferocious exchange results in Nadal netting from the baseline and the game is sealed when Nadal narrowly misses with a forehand down the line. Things are warming up.

The opening two points are shared before Djokovic just misses with an audacious cross-court backhand from the left-hand side of the court. However, the Serbian responds with a forehand winner from the baseline, and for the first time in the match, we have 30-30, but he can't capitalise after missing out by dumping a backhand into the net. Djokovic proceeds to do the same off his forehand side, but despite the disappointment, he will be encouraged with his success in that game.

What a touch - Djokovic plays the most immaculate of drop shots from the back of the court - but Nadal responds with an aggressive play from the baseline. Rafa goes long on the next, but Djokovic produces more magic to take the next point with a brutal forehand into the corner. The game is wrapped up with an ace, and while we remain on serve, it's Djokovic who has settled first.

That's better from Nadal, who eases into a 30-0 advantage with a forehand into the corner, but a wonderfully whipped forehand from Djokovic forces a mistake on the next point. The Serbian is furious with himself as he floats a return off a second serve long of the baseline, but another drop shot from Djokovic sees him remain in the game. However, he can't get to deuce after a weak forehand into the net.

Both players exchange forehand winners on the opening two points, but Nadal forces the mistake during the next rally to bring up 15-30. However, two baseline efforts from the Spaniard go long to give Djokovic a game point, but we go to deuce after the Serbian blasts wide. Can he handle the first bit of pressure in the match? Of course he can. Two points in a row and we remain on serve.

BREAK! Two mistakes from Nadal gift Djokovic 0-30, but a solid first serve from the Spaniard sees the deficit halved. However, Djokovic brings up two break points after a cross-court backhand clips the line, but what a response from Nadal on the first - a beautiful forehand conversion down the line. Nadal saves the second, but Djokovic creates a third opportunity by drilling a forehand down the line, and this time, he takes his chance as Nadal miscues a shot from the baseline. First blood to Djokovic.

SET! That disappointment has sharpened Nadal's concentration and he quickly moves into a 0-30 advantage. He misses out on the next point, but Djokovic floats a backhand long to give two break-back points to the left-hander. However, Nadal seems to be rushing the follow-through with his forehand and two miscues see Djokovic get to deuce, and the Serbian takes advantage by wrong-footing Nadal to bring up set point, which is taken when Nadal fails to return a Djokovic forehand. We have a match on our hands.

It's still early days, but Nadal needs to respond quickly to try to disrupt Djokovic's momentum. Both men play two great points apiece to get to 30-30 before Djokovic misses out on a chance to earn a break point by clipping the top of the net with a forehand. He proceeds to go long on the next point and Nadal gets on the board in the second set.

Djokovic takes the first two points, but he can't execute a drop shot from the back of the court and Nadal easily makes the ground to hit the winner. However, Djokovic regains control of the game and easily levels things at the start of this second set.

Nadal appears to be in control of the game, but he is wrong-footed by a net-cord and Djokovic gets to 30-30. The pair proceed to go toe-to-toe from the baseline and it's Nadal who prevails with a venomous backhand that catches the line. A first serve to the body from Nadal is unreturned by Djokovic and the Spaniard remains ahead.

An ace gets Djokovic off to the perfect start, and although he misses with a forehand, three successive points make it 2-2 in double-quick time.

Djokovic miscues a backhand on the opening exchange, but a double fault, the first of the match, sees him get to 15-15. However, rather than think negatively, Nadal steps into court to blast himself into a 40-15 lead and the game is sealed when a forehand finds the far corner of the court.

BREAK! A double fault from Djokovic opens the door for Nadal, and although the Serbian takes the next two point, Nadal hits back to create his third break point of the match. Can he take it? He thought he had, but after the ball was initially called in, the umpire adjudged that a forehand had gone marginally long. It was the correct call, too. However, Nadal creates another chance after a forehand winner, and this time, he seals the break when Djokovic nets.

BREAK! That's so unlike Nadal. After breaking for the first time in the match, he slips to 15-30 before a double fault gives Djokovic two break points. The first is saved when Djokovic goes long, but the Spaniard makes an error on the second to gift the break back to his opponent.

Psychologically, that was a hammer blow to Nadal, and he looks a little deflated as Djokovic moves into a 30-0 lead. However, he is soon encouraged when his opponent plays two wild shots to get the game back to 30-30. All of a sudden, there is a lull in Djokovic's play and another wayward backhand gives Nadal a break point. The left-hander can't take advantage though, and two errors and a Djokovic winner sees us reach 4-4.

Djokovic is beginning to play the better tennis, and a well-struck forehand into the corner gets him back to 30-15, but Nadal finds the line with a backhand to bring up two game points. A big serve down the middle gets the job done and when we return, Djokovic will serve to stay in the set.

Djokovic puts away a smash at the net for the opening point but a trademark whipped forehand from Nadal makes it 15-15. The Serbian responds with a serve and volley before a flat serve out wide sees Nadal net. The Spaniard stays in the game with a return winner, but Djokovic closes it out after stepping into court to put away a forehand.

An ace sets Nadal on the way to a 40-0 lead, which he converts with yet another forehand down the line. The world number one is starting to fire with more consistency now.

SET! Djokovic starts brilliantly with a one-two off his serve, but a second double fault gives Nadal an opening. A net-cord hinders the Serbian on the next point to see Nadal move two points away from the set, and a wayward forehand gets Nadal to 15-40. Djokovic looks rattled, and despite some superb defence, Nadal strikes to level the match!

There's a feeling that Djokovic needs to re-engage mentally in this match or else Nadal could run away with this. The Serbian misses out on getting to 15-30, but after Nadal nets on the next point, we are at 30-30. Djokovic should have a break point but he misses the tramline by millimetres and Nadal takes advantage to take the game.

BREAK! Nadal is warming to the task here, but Djokovic responds with the most delicate of touches at the net to get back to 15-15. The pair trade errors before Nadal pummels Djokovic into submission to get to break point. Big moment here and Djokovic doesn't rise to the occasion. A routine volley is dumped into the net and Nadal breaks.

There are signs that the tide has completely turned in this match. Nadal lets fly with two huge forehands to get to 40-0 and Djokovic looks bewildered. The game is won with an ace and Philippe-Chatrier are beginning to see a masterclass from the 'king of clay'.

Nadal catches the line to take the opening point, but he dumps a forehand into the net to allow Djokovic back to 15-15. That's better from the Serbian, who directs a forehand into the open court before forcing Nadal to go wide with a backhand return. The game is sealed with an ace.

Now then. Nadal concedes a third double fault before Djokovic converts an easy put-away at the net for 15-30. What can he do from here? He doesn't do anything with the following two points, but Nadal goes wide on the next to make it deuce. A weary-looking Nadal then makes a mistake with his forehand to give Djokovic a break point, but the Serbian can't do anything with the opportunity and Nadal explodes into life to maintain the break of serve.

Djokovic gets on the board with an ace, but a wild forehand levels the game. However, a couple of errors from Nadal and another Djokovic ace keeps him in the set. The intensity of Nadal's play has definitely dropped a touch.

The net-cord hasn't been Djokovic's friend today. At 30-15, Djokovic looks ready to hit a forehand winner for 30-30, but it hits the net and goes wide. However, he remains focused to take the next two points for deuce, but a poor backhand goes wide and Djokovic is furious - he thumps his racquet into the ground. But, he channels his frustration positively to bring up a break point, but Nadal steps into court with a precise drop shot before taking the next two points, much to the anger of the Serb.

SET! The Philippe-Chatrier crowd applaud the efforts of Djokovic, who scampers to the net to hit a delicate cross-court flick past Nadal for 30-0, but Nadal responds aggressively to put away a volley. A second ace of the game takes Djokovic to 40-15, but two errors allow Nadal to get to deuce. The Spaniard is back in relentless mode, and he drills a backhand into the open court for set point, which he takes when Djokovic goes long with a routine forehand.

Can Djokovic get himself back into this final? Not if that game is anything to go by. A love-service hold from the Spaniard, which is sealed with a forehand winner, and Djokovic needs a fast start on serve to stay in this.

Nadal lets crack with a thumping shot from the baseline, but Djokovic responds in kind for a 30-15 lead. The world number two is showing encouraging signs and he holds to 15 with an ace.

Is Nadal feeling the nerves? He falls to 15-30 before dropping him a 76mph second serve, but Djokovic fails to take advantage and dumps the ball into the net. He isn't best pleased. Two more returns of serve miss their intended targets and Nadal holds.

A forehand winner moves Nadal ahead, and although he gets to 15-30, he can't capitalise after two weak efforts from the back of the court and Djokovic seals the game when Nadal goes just long with an attempted winner.

A key factor in this fourth set might be Nadal serving first. For the most part, he is looking composed with his gameplan and not expending too much energy before he attempts to break Djokovic. The Spaniard comfortably holds to love.

BREAK! Djokovic looks on course for a comfortable hold, but Nadal unleashes a couple of huge forehands to wrestle control of the point to get to 30-30. An ace out wide takes Djokovic to game point, but a flashing inside-out forehand gets Nadal to deuce. Djokovic gets himself back to game point, but he can't hold off the Nadal onslaught and a backhand out wide concedes the break to the Spaniard. Could that be the moment?

BREAK! Nadal sends a backhand into the net, and he comes so, so close to falling 0-30 behind, but a Djokovic backhand just misses the line. However, Nadal throws in a double fault and this is tentative from the left-hander. A perfectly-executed defensive lob has Nadal on the back foot and a smash into the net gives two break points to Djokovic. He misses out on the first, but he pushes Nadal wide on the second to force the mistake and we are back on serve in the fourth!

All of a sudden, Djokovic looks inspired and a composed one-two on serve sees him ease to 30-0, but he goes for too much on a forehand to allow Nadal back into it. However, Djokovic soon rediscovers his groove and two successive points earns parity in the set.

Nadal ends an exhausting rally by sending a backhand wide of the line, but he finds his target with a forehand winner to make it 15-15. That's huge from the Spaniard, who lets rip with a thunderous shot from the baseline, but Djokovic is beginning to match his opponent blow-for-blow and he moves the score to 30-30. The Serbian gets to deuce, but Nadal reels off the next two points to force Djokovic to serve to stay in the match.

MATCH! Djokovic starts the game with an unreturned serve, and Nadal helps the Serbian get to 30-0 by going long with a backhand. However, after going wide with a backhand put-away, Djokovic sees the ball fly past his racquet after a Nadal passing shot and the Spaniard is two points away from title. Djokovic lands a big first serve, but he can't put away the forehand and it's CHAMPIONSHIP POINT to Nadal. Double fault from Djokovic! Nadal has won his ninth French Open title.

After three-and-a-half hours of action, Rafael Nadal wins his ninth Roland Garros title with a four-set victory over Novak Djokovic. The double fault from Djokovic was a disappointing way to finish what had been such a pulsating encounter, but no-one can begrudge Nadal of another clay-court crown.

As I have already mentioned, that's Nadal's ninth French Open win, and his 14th Grand Slam triumph in total, which equals the amount won by Pete Sampras.

As for Djokovic, he will have to wait another year before trying to win the one title that continues to elude him. If it wasn't for Nadal, he would have almost certainly ticked off that box, but he should still have plenty of time during his career to try complete the career Grand Slam.

On that note, I shall bid you farewell for this afternoon. Thank you for following Sports Mole's coverage, and we hope that you return for the grass-court season that will be taking place over the next four weeks. Goodbye for now.