Beating Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros is not impossible but it requires sustaining a furious pace over five sets which, as Novak Djokovic experienced in Sunday's French Open final, is easier said than done.

Djokovic made a brilliant start to win the first set but suffered a lapse in form by the end of the second that carried through most of the third and he eventually lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 as Spain's world No 1 claimed a record-extending ninth title.

Serbian second seed Djokovic, looking to complete a career grand slam in Paris, had won four of their past eight meetings on clay but had never prevailed in a best-of-five match on the surface, indicating the size of the mountain he was attempting to climb in hot and humid conditions.