French Open LIVE: Rafael Nadal beaten by Alexander Zverev in potential farewell

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Zverev 6-3 7-6 6-3 Nadal

A tough day for Nadal. The second-set fightback was sensational but Zverev managed to occasion incredibly well and responded to win the tiebreak. It was so crucial.

This was such a brutal draw for Nadal. Based on that performance, he could have gone far if he had not drawn the fourth seed, who is arguably THE form player on the men’s side.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Zverev 6-3 7-6 6-3 Nadal

Ah my goodness. That was emotional. There will be tears in the stands as Nadal leaves the court to a standing ovation.

Is it for the last time? Nadal left the door open to coming back one last time. The Olympics, which will be played here in two months, is a big goal.

As for after that? He will almost be 39 next year. But, if he is feeling healthy, it sounds as if Nadal will give it a go.

Here’s Nadal, he gets the chance to speak.

“I don’t know if this is farewell, but if it was, it was special to feel the love in the place I love the most.

“I have to congratulate Sacha on victory and winning in Rome. For me, I have been going through a tough two years in terms of injuries.

“I went through the process to get back to Roland Garros, the dream. I was competitive, I had my chances, but it was tough against this opponent.

“It is a big percentage this was my last match at Roland Garros but I cannot say for sure. I am enjoying travelling with my family. My body is feeling good.

“Maybe I two months I say it’s enough, I can’t give more. But I hope to be back on this court for the Olympics. That’s another chance. I hope to be prepared.

“This court, I could not have imagined being here at almost 38 years old, with winning so many times. I could not have dreamed about it. It was beautiful.

“All the people make it special, ever since the first time. All the support, my people, my team. Everybody who helped me. I can’t thank them enough.

“Last, all the fans. It was unforgettable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to see you again, but I don’t know.”

Zverev closes out victory against Nadal. A stunned silence at Philippe-Chatrier, before applause and recognition to the great Spaniard. He was beaten today, but he put up an incredible fight. Zverev was too good. This was a brutal first-round draw for the 37-year-old.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you to Rafa, from all the tennis world, it is such a great honour. I have watched Rafa all my childhood and I was lucky to play him. Today is not my moment. It is his moment.”

*Nadal 3-6 6-7 3-5 Zverev

A chance for the Spaniard: Nadal responds and produces a flashy overhead to get to 15-30, before a double fault from Zverev! Nadal had a chance on the first break point, putting a backhand long of the basline, but no chance on the second, with Zverev putting a winner clean onto the line.

It’s an impressive hold from Zverev, as he takes another step closer. He sends Nadal running before finding a stunning backhand winner. Too good.

Nadal 3-6 6-7 3-4 Zverev* – Zverev breaks

Zverev marches into a 0-30 lead on Nadal’s serve, before the Spaniard produces a sensational winner down the line against the Zverev smash.

The pressure returns immediately after a double fault brings up two more break points at 14-40.

Nadal guns the forehand and grunts to save the first.

But that’s one of the shots of the match from Zverev: a backhand return hit down the line for a clean winner, finally cracking a hole in Nadal’s serve and volley approach.

It’s met with silence. That could be it.

*Nadal 3-6 6-7 3-3 Zverev

What a response from Zverev, putting the pressure back onto Nadal in a flash after holding to love. The German has served so impressively today.

Nadal 3-6 6-7 3-2 Zverev*

Zverev is unrelenting: not letting Nadal out of his sight even as Nadal saves a third break point with an ace. Zverev powers a forehand winner to get a fourth break point, as Nadal returns to the net to put away another volley.

This would be a vital hold for Nadal. And you know what, he gets it, fighting hard at the baseline to force the Zverev miss. Four break points saved. He battles on.

*Nadal 3-6 6-7 2-2 Zverev

Nadal looked to be cruising to a strong hold but from 40-15, Zverev produced a tricky return to the Spaniard’s feet. It turned the game around, with Zverev becoming a rock at the baseline to win the next three points and get to break point.

Nadal digs deep, briefly defying Zverev with a wonderful backhand volley. But the German is like a wall now, throwing everything back at Nadal, forcing the miss into the net. A second break point: Zverev has the chance – but can’t steer the passing shot after sliding into the net.

*Nadal 3-6 6-7 2-2 Zverev

A half chance for Nadal, unexpectedly, but Zverev quickly closes the door. On 30-30, after a rousing Nadal winner, the German sent an easy forehand from midcourt long of the baseline and then slumped a volley into the net to give Nadal break point.

But Zverev steadies, wins three points in a row, and recovers from the slight wobble to hold. Level again the third.