Djokovic, however, looked bemused for much of the match. Several times the Serbian thought he had done enough to win a point and Nadal came up with something spectacular to deny him.

Djokovic had just one chance in the second set -- a break point in the fourth game -- but Nadal snuffed it out with a good serve and cruised through the rest of the set.

After Nadal surged ahead 3-0 in the third set, Djokovic finally broke serve and held his arms aloft in mock celebration.

He became more aggressive, breaking back when Nadal served for the match at 5-4 and forcing a set point at 6-5 which Nadal saved.