Djoko searching for Nadal answer

MADRID – An exasperated Novak Djokovic was left searching for answers after his toughest loss yet to Rafael Nadal.

Nadal saved three match points to complete a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9) comeback win over Djokovic to reach the Madrid Open final on Saturday.

Despite nearly topping the Spaniard in front of his home crowd, Djokovic will likely best remember the blown opportunities that led to his fifth straight defeat at the hands of Nadal in the longest three-set match in Masters Series history.

“Next time I’ll probably take two rackets on the match point and try to hit them past him. I don’t know what to do,” Djokovic said. “If I knew I would probably win.”

Djokovic will still go into the French Open on a good run as world No. 4 but knows that if he crosses Nadal again, he is 0-9 against the four-time defending champion on the dirt.

All four defeats to Nadal this year have come on clay, too. (AP)