Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has ended Rafael Nadal’s five-year rule of Roland Garros to surge into the French Open semi-finals.

The Serbian avenged six previous defeats at the hands of Nadal in Paris, with a 7-5 6-3 6-1 quarter-final win on Wednesday, ending Nadal’s quest for a tenth French Open title.

Djokovic’s victory was his first over Nadal at a major since their epic 2012 Australian Open final in Melbourne.

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“I didn’t want to give him too much comfort and opportunities where he can dictate the play,” Djokovic said post-match.

“I tried to mix up the pace, get into the net. Dropshots, high balls, fast balls, you know, always something different.”

The match never quite lived up to the hype, as Djokovic buried Nadal in two hours and 26 minutes.

Rafael Nadal’s five year winning streak was broken at Roland Garros. Photo: AAP

After fighting back from a double break and 4-0 deficit, Nadal was irate at receiving a code violation for exceeding the time limit between points as he tried to fight off set point in the eleventh game.

Nadal eventually succumbed on Djokovic’s sixth set point as the Serb regained control.

But chasing a 27th straight win in an utterly dominant 2015, Djokovic then fumed at French chair umpire Cedric Mourier for not watering Court Philippe Chatrier, after the 67-minute opening set.

The Serb’s angry exchange with Mourier was merely a diversion to the more serious task at hand as he broke Nadal for a third time in the match to take a commanding two-sets-to-love lead.

The quarter-final was as good as over when Djokovic’s net cord winner earned him a double break and 3-0 lead in the third set before Nadal surrendered with a double-fault on match point.

Nadal was philosophical after suffering his first French Open defeat in six years.

“Next week we will have other competitions and such is life,” said Nadal.

“In my case, life will continue whether I win or lose.

“I have been very successful here for nine of 11 years. Everybody loses in every place. That day arrived for me today.

“I always accept defeats. One thing for sure is there is only one sure thing. I need to work harder and come back stronger.”

Scottish third seed Andy Murray accounted for Spain’s seventh seed and former finalist David Ferrer 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 5-7 6-1 in his quarter-final, but knows he must raise his game to snap a seven-match losing streak against his Serbian nemesis, Djokovic.

“It’s going to be an extremely tough match but I hope it’s a good one,” Murray said.

“I’m going to need to play a high-quality match to have a chance.”

Djokovic or Murray will face either Swiss eighth seed Stan Wawrinka or great French hope, 14th Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Sunday’s final.

– with AAP