By Chris Oddo

Photo Credit:Thomas Coex/ AFP/ Getty

(June 10, 2012)—Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic braved inclement conditions, soggy clay and periods of torrid play from one another all Sunday afternoon, but in the end mother nature proved to be the only victor.

At 6:54 P.M. Paris time, play was suspended with Nadal leading two sets to one and trailing 2-1 in the fourth set after tournament officials finally called play for the evening.

Play is scheduled to resume on Monday at 1 PM Paris time (7 AM EST).

In the early going, it appeared as if Nadal might beat mother nature to the finish line. The six-time French Open champion raced out to an early lead, capitalizing on some spotty play from the world No. 1 to break three times in each of the first two sets.

In the second set, rain interrupted play with Nadal leading 5-3, and immediately after returning from the 34-minute delay, the Spaniard hit a backhand passing shot that eluded Djokovic for a commanding two-set lead.

The worsening conditions and high-stakes nature of the match wore on both players at times. Djokovic tossed a racquet that drew hisses and boos from the crowd, then he took his frustrations out on the Perrier advertisement below his chair during a changeover, shattering the sign with his racquet after falling behind 4-3 in the second set.

After the first rain delay the Serb came out calmer. In the third set, after falling behind two games, Djokovic once again demonstrated his uncanny knack for playing his best tennis with his back against the wall. The Serb embarked on an impressive run of eight consecutive games against Nadal to take the third set and jump out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth.

Then it was Nadal's turn to show his frustration. He tossed a ball in the direction of the umpire so that he could feel how wet it was, then angrily held serve to break Djokovic's 8-game streak.

At the next changeover play was called.

After a brief delay, officials announced that play would resume Monday, marking the first time that the French Open won't finish on a Sunday since 1973.