Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text coverage of today's French Open final between the world's top two players; reigning champion and world number one, Rafael Nadal versus second seed, Novak Djokovic. The players are due on Chatrier at approximately 2pm BST for what promises to be another exhilarating showdown between these two giants of the game.

A delighted Nadal lifted the trophy and then wept with pride. He said: "Novak, it is the biggest challenge of my career facing you. I don't have any doubt you will win here one day in the future... I must thank the volunteers who make this tournament possible, this is the best tournament in the world, so thank you. I want to thank the public too, it is incredible playing here on this court... I'd like to thank the sponsors and of course my team. Without them it is impossible for me to be here."

A visibly emotional Djokovic was in tears following a magnificent reception from the crowd prior to presentations. He said: "It's incredible that you (Nadal) have won this tournament for a ninth time, congratulations. Rafa was the better player today and I must also congratulate him for that... We didn't get it this year, but next year we will be back and we'll do it again and again and again until I win this tournament."

GAME, SET AND MATCH! - DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 4-6 NADAL. Nadal claims an unprecedented NINTH Roland Garros title and becomes the first man to win it five times in a row. The four-set success also sees him maintain his standing as the world number one and is achieved as he comes back from 0-30 down to end Nole's dream as the Serb implodes with a double fault on match point.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 4-5 NADAL. At 15-15 Nadal unleashes a winning forehand that has Djokovic berating himself and bashing his face into his racket. The Serb recognises it's a significant opportunity to rattle Rafa and manages to push it to deuce. The second seed fights valiantly but in the end he puts too much on a return and his chance goes begging. The Djoker must now serve to stay in the match.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 4-4 NADAL. A controversial opening point goes the way of the Djoker after it appeared Nadal's shot called out was actually in. It serves to galvanise the Serb and he dominates the rest of the game to take it to 15. All square in this fourth set. Is the pendulum about to swing away from Rafa?

BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 3-4 NADAL. Where did that come from? Djokovic looked a beaten man after that last service game, but he somehow conjured up the courage, desire and defensive play to outwit Rafa and claim the break back at the second time of asking. Which way will this match twist next?

BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 2-4 NADAL. That could be the key moment in the set - and indeed the match. A mix of stunning play from Nadal and a peppering of inexplicable errors from Djokovic lead to a break point that has the Serb's mind racing. Another lung-busting rally takes its toll and he sends another shot he would usually make in his sleep, wide. It's surely Rafa's to lose now.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 2-3 NADAL. That was too easy for the world number one. The Spaniard sees out his fifth love service game with the minimum of fuss. There are such fine margins between these two players that you wouldn't rule out a Nole comeback despite the current dominance of Rafa. He needs to produce something special soon though or his dream of a first ever Paris title will be over for another year.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 2-2 NADAL. The Serbinator just about keeps Nadal at arms length as the Spaniard's innate ability to hit the lines fails him in the key moments. At 40-30 a punishing rally has both players on the run until the King of Clay lashes a shot just beyond the baseline.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 1-2 NADAL. What can only be described as a tumbleweed of an ace at 15-30 is followed by a thumping first serve to get the eight-time Roland Garros champion out of trouble. In the end what looked like a tricky situation is dealt with rather easily as the Djoker fires long.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 1-1 NADAL. Rafa is in the zone right now but Novak is digging in hoping to see out the purple patch and force a wobble. A stunning return from the Spaniard to make 15-15 could have ruffled the Serb's feathers, but he shrugs it off to take the next three points, wrapping it up with his ninth ace of the encounter.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 0-1 NADAL. It's hard to see a way back for Nole from here. Rafa races through a love game, cracking home a stunning forehand down the line to clinch it.

SET! - DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-6 NADAL. Wow! Rafa breaks from out of nowhere to seal the set. It looked like a routine service game for Novak when raced into a 40-15 lead; with one of the points of the match going his way with a volley at the net. He even afforded a smile! However, some basic errors allowed Nadal back in and the Spaniard barely had to work for it as the Serb capitulated on set point by overcooking the forehand.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-5 NADAL. That is a massive, massive hold for Rafa. The Spaniard looks home and hosed at 40-15 but allows the Djoker back in at deuce. Cue a series of sensational rallies right up there with some of the best tennis you'll see. Nole has his chance to break but the Spanish Raging Bull sees red and eventually comes good when some oustanding defence is rewarded by a tame volley into the net by the Serb.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 2-4 NADAL. That will have done wonders for Novak's belief. The Serb needs to keep fighting and he played some commanding points to take it to 15. It was a quick game and means he can now attempt to apply further pressure to the Nadal serve after going close last time out.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 1-4 NADAL. The Nadal juggernaut is sent slightly off course as Djokovic recaptures his fighting spirit to force break point following deuce. But it proves to be a mere diversion on this occasion as the Spaniard roars through the gears to finish with a thumping crosscourt forehand to hold. A deflating moment for the Serb.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 1-3 NADAL. An audacious return with absurd length gets Nadal off to a flyer and leaves Djokovic breathing heavily. The Spaniard then misses a shot down the line and it helps to reinvigorate Nole who outfoxes his opponent with a clever winner before getting himself on the board with an ace.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 0-3 NADAL. Rafa consolidates the break with an outstanding service game to love. An ace seals it and there is no doubt who has the bit between their teeth at this point. Djokovic looks a shadow of the man who was so tactically sound in the opening set and a half.

BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 0-2 NADAL. What a game that was! Two of the most sensational points you'll see contribute to a close exchange that eventually goes the way of Nadal. When these two athletes are drawn into a scrap at the net it really is a sight to behold. At 0-15 a sublimely angled drop volley earns Nole applause from both the crowd and his opponent. But Nadal roars back and wins a 22-stroke rally with an overhead before Nole gets a volley at the net all wrong to hand him the break.

DJOKOVIC 6-3 5-7 0-1 NADAL. A let off for Nadal as Djokovic pulls a forehand just wide of the line at 30-30. Some sensational defence keeps the Serb in the next point but he then contrives to crash a backhand across court way beyond the alley. Was that a significant missed opportunity for Nole?