Tennis: Nadal beats Djokovic in French Open five set semi-final thriller to remain on course for eighth Roland Garros title

Rafael Nadal won the 35th - and arguably most extraordinary – meeting with Novak Djokovic when the Serb’s concentration finally cracked to allow him into yet another French Open final.

Rafael Nadal

After four hours and 36 minutes the seven-times champion eventually outpointed Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 9-7 after an epic encounter which it had appeared he had won three times before ultimately doing so.

While Djokovic contemplates missing a chance to add the one Grand Slam title he is missing to his collection, Nadal was left waiting for the winner of the other semi-final between Jo Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer, which did not begin before 6.15pm due to another marathon between the two great rivals.

Novak Djokovic busts Rafael Nadal's eight-year Monte Carlo reign

Whatever sadness attended the dethroning of Rafael Nadal as the King of Monte Carlo on Sunday after a reign of eight years and 46 consecutive matches unbeaten should be tempered by the acceptance that Novak Djokovic was the most convincing of insurrectionists.

The world No1 battered the champion's faltering backhand (21 unforced errors was not a pretty sight) for an hour and 52 minutes and sealed a 6-2, 7-6 victory with an unreachable forehand in the corner as his old rival collapsed in the tie-break. Had it gone to a third set, the result probably would have been the same.

Both carried injuries – Nadal's chronically weak left knee probably more burdensome than Djokovic's seemingly rehabilitated right ankle – and they had each shown vulnerability during the week in the first Masters 1000 of the European season. But it was still a compelling final, one delayed by rain and concluded in glorious sunshine, certainly more competitive than last year, when Nadal dismissed Djokovic 6-3, 6-1 and went on to beat him again in the French Open final five weeks later.

"All the motivation and positive energy came from you, over so many years," Nadal told the packed Court Central after passing on his crown to Djokovic, who addressed the crowd in French – as any Monte Carlo resident would.He might just be starting a reign of his own at this lovely venue.

Tennis: Andy Murray now world no2 after winning Miami title

Britain's Andy Murray battled past David Ferrer in a gruelling final to win his second Miami title and regain the world number two ranking.The Scot, 25, saved a match point on his way to winning 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-1) for his ninth Masters title.Murray recovered from losing the first five games and survived a Hawk-Eye call at match point down in the final set.

For the first time in almost 10 years, the top two ranking positions in the world will not feature either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.

Murray's arrival as number two behind Novak Djokovic is not a first for him, but it's been three-and-a-half years since he last occupied that spot, and he's a much better player now. With more than 4,000 points separating Murray and Djokovic, the number one ranking is still a long way off, but after lifting his second Miami title in his 40th career final, it's another step along the way to his ultimate ranking goal.

As for the match, all of those lung-busting 400m runs in the Miami heat in the off season were designed for this sort of occasion. To win one of these titles at any time is hard work, but to force David Ferrer, known as The Everywhere Man for his ability to cover the court, to cramp in the stifling heat and humidity, is something else.

The victory brought a 26th career title and ensured he will pass Roger Federer in the new world rankings on Monday.

Congratulations Andy.