Novak Djokovic has become just the second man to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open in 11 years thanks to a straight-sets triumph over the defending champion in the quarter-finals.

The world number one will face Andy Murray in the last four as he bids to win the tournament for the first time in his career.

Djokovic powered into a 4-0 lead at the start of the opening set, but Nadal fought back doggedly to level things up at 4-4.

The Serb then squandered three set points on Nadal's serve at 5-4, though it mattered little in the end as he broke for a third time to clinch it 7-5.

There was little to separate the pair in the second as grinding rallies were the order of the day. Both men battled away diligently at the baseline, trying to wear the other down.

However, it was Djokovic who made a significant breakthrough late on as he broke to take a 5-3 lead before converting his fourth set point to come through 6-3.

A wide volley from Nadal gave Djokovic a break at the start of the third as the top seed started to see the finish line. With Nadal now fading fast, the eight-time Grand Slam champion broke again on his way to claiming a memorable 7-5 6-3 6-1 triumph.