Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE online text coverage as the 2012 French Open draws to a fitting conclusion: top seed Novak Djokovic meets Roland Garros master and curent title holder Rafa Nadal.

Onazi (@onazi) feels the delay will only spur Nadal on to finish the job: " I hope not..d rain shld rather aid rafa's game..go rafa..lol" and Fawole (@fawolefemi) has his own benefits from the weather: "was praying for a rain delay so I can get home and watch my Nadal destroy D Djoker....hehehe"

No covers yet but the rainfall has picked up over the last few minutes, enough to warrant a retreat. Hopefully this is only a brief respite. Will the delay aid Djokovic's hopes of staying alive in the final? Let me know on Twitter @liamhappe

He may just have his wish! Play is suspended at 6-4 5-3 Nadal...

NADAL 6-4 5-3 - The champ keeps the pressure on with a flawless hold to love and is one game away from a two-set advantage. Nole will be hoping for the rain to intensify...

NADAL 6-4 4-3 - BREAK! - The rain has begun to drizzle, but not too many umbrellas out yet. Nothing wet about Nadal's returns in the seventh of the second, however, as he steps it up at 30-30 and seals the double-break - his fifth of the match so far. Djok responds by smashing up the Perrier hoarding by his seat with his racquet and earns jeers and a warning for his troubles.

That was the only ace of the set so far, with Rafa 2-0 up in aces won overall.

NADAL 6-4 3-3 - Slight controversy in the second point as Rafa's forehand winner is negated when the ball in from Djok is called out, only for the umpire to rule it in. Despite Nadal's response meaning it's his point either way, the official ruling is a replayed point until Novak sportingly concedes. The Serb backhands a point back, but eventually succumbs to the hold to 15, wrapped up by a cracking ace.

NADAL 6-4 2-3 - Djokovic holds well once more to lead a set for the first time in this final. Some of the predictions coming in that he'd take the second in dogged fashion may well come good.

NADAL 6-4 2-2 - BREAK! - Djokovic preys on Nadal's weakest service thus far with some impressive defending, and a cross-court forehand sets up a double break point. Another exhausting rally ends with yet another remarkably casual-yet-spectacular Djok forehand lob to take the first of the two and pull back to level terms in the set.

@Emmlyke feels Djok can still level in sets - though doing so by going the distance: "7-5 Djokovic, in d 2nd set, i support him doh, but's gonna be tougher dat wat he's seen"

Winners so far in the match: Djokovic 12-11 Nadal; total points won: Djokovic 38-49 Nadal.

NADAL 6-4 2-1 - Djok backhands his way to the opening two points off his serve, but a great point-blank reply to his smash attempt pulls one back for Rafa before the Serb's own drop volley nets for 30-30. The duo exchange forehand winners for deuce, but an unforced error followed by a powerful first serve sees Novak hold for his first game of the set.

NADAL 6-4 2-0 - Good reactions from Djokovic ask serious questions of the Rafa serve and allow the Serb to move into deuce, where a delicious lob for break point is negated by Rafa immediately afterward. Nadal makes two hold points, smashing the second for another 2-0 lead in the set.

NADAL 6-4 1-0 - BREAK! - An engrossing and balanced opening game in the second set ultimately comes down to Djokovic's errors from deuce once more. A double fault again hands Nadal the break on first advantage and the Spaniard begins this set as he had the first.

Set one stats (Djokovic-Nadal): First serve % 48-62; Aces 0-1; Double faults 1-2; Unforced errors 17-10; Winners 10-8; Total points won 30-37.

NADAL 6-4 - SET! - An unstoppable smash and a slick drop shot at the end of the longest rally of the contest thus far garner a double set point for the Spaniard, and he only needs one courtesy of a wicked forehand on second serve. The clay king draws first blood despite the top seed's stirring resistence!

NADAL 5-4 - Djokovic begins with a wonderful backhand drop to claim the opening rally before catching a lurking Nadal off-guard with a lob at full stretch. Despite netting immediately afterward, the Serb goes on to hold to 15. Nadal, however, will now serve for the first set.

NADAL 5-3 - Nadal slows down the pace between points on the current ball, and it benefits his focus in service as the champ holds to 15 to move onto the verge of the opening set.

NADAL 4-3 - BREAK! - See-saw seventh game as Rafa's backhand returns flash hot and cold once again. This time the success rate is balanced and take matters to deuce, where Djokovic fluffs his lines and a double fault hands the Spaniard his third break on the first advantage.

Emmanuel Nwachukwu (@emmiyke) suggested at 3-0 that Nole could come back, and you were spot on mate... can the world number one sustain it?

Nadal had been broken only once on his way to the final. That tally has trebled in the opening six games alone.