Novak Djokovic sets up French Open final with Rafael Nadal after five-set battle with Stefanos Tsitsipas

Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 in Paris

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory (Reuters)

Novak Djokovic eventually saw off a battling Stefanos Tsitsipas over five sets to set up a French Open final with Rafael Nadal. 

Djokovic looked to be easing to a relatively straightforward victory when he served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, only for Tsitsipas to save a match point and turn the contest completely around.

But the world No 1, who showed no signs of the neck and arm problems that bothered him in his quarter-final win over Pablo Carreno Busta, did not panic and reasserted control in the decider to win 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 after three hours and 54 minutes.

Earlier Nadal gained revenge on Diego Schwartzman to reach his 13th French Open final. Schwartzman had managed his first victory over Nadal in 10 meetings at the Italian Open in Rome last month, but a repeat never looked on the cards in the Spaniard's fortress. Nadal's 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (0) victory made it 99 wins and only two defeats at Roland Garros and he will challenge for yet another title on Sunday.

Nadal's dominance slipped in the third set and Schwartzman fought back from 2-4 before the second seed re-established control in the tie-break.

Nadal said: “I had a couple of mistakes. He played some good points. I knew against Diego it's very difficult until the end. Two and a half weeks ago I lost in Rome, so I expected a very tough match. I'm happy with the way I played.”

Additional reporting by PA