ROME: Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to win a 9th Italian Open title and a record 34th Masters crown on Sunday.
World number one Djokovic, winner on the Madrid Open remaining week, produced an error-strewn efficiency in his 54th meeting with second-ranked Nadal, who claimed the 81st title of his career.
Nadal overtakes Djokovic on the top of the checklist for Masters wins -- the pair were stage at 33 each earlier than Sunday's final -- in a timely spice up forward of his assault on a 12th French Open crown in every week's time.
After 3 semi-final defeats in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, Nadal has returned to his highest form forward of Roland Garros and lifted his first title of the season.
The Spaniard ruled early with Djokovic dropping a collection 6-0 for the primary time to a player he describes as his "greatest rival".
But Nadal neglected four destroy possibilities in the second one set, dropping his first set this week after dropping serve at 4-5, to throw the Serb a lifeline.
The fightback was once transient as the 31-year-old Djokovic dropped his serve immediately within the third set, smashing his racket in frustration.
Nadal broke his opponent twice more to seal a third win over Djokovic of their five Rome finals, although the latter still holds a 28-26 career edge.
Nadal, seeded second, was once playing his fourth immediately semi-final, however had not managed to move further on clay this season.
The 32-year-old were surprised by means of Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded eighth and 12 years his junior, within the semi-finals on the Madrid Open remaining weekend.
World number one Djokovic, winner on the Madrid Open remaining week, produced an error-strewn efficiency in his 54th meeting with second-ranked Nadal, who claimed the 81st title of his career.
Nadal overtakes Djokovic on the top of the checklist for Masters wins -- the pair were stage at 33 each earlier than Sunday's final -- in a timely spice up forward of his assault on a 12th French Open crown in every week's time.
After 3 semi-final defeats in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, Nadal has returned to his highest form forward of Roland Garros and lifted his first title of the season.
The Spaniard ruled early with Djokovic dropping a collection 6-0 for the primary time to a player he describes as his "greatest rival".
But Nadal neglected four destroy possibilities in the second one set, dropping his first set this week after dropping serve at 4-5, to throw the Serb a lifeline.
The fightback was once transient as the 31-year-old Djokovic dropped his serve immediately within the third set, smashing his racket in frustration.
Nadal broke his opponent twice more to seal a third win over Djokovic of their five Rome finals, although the latter still holds a 28-26 career edge.
Nadal, seeded second, was once playing his fourth immediately semi-final, however had not managed to move further on clay this season.
The 32-year-old were surprised by means of Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded eighth and 12 years his junior, within the semi-finals on the Madrid Open remaining weekend.
Nadal beats Djokovic to win ninth Italian Open title
![Nadal beats Djokovic to win ninth Italian Open title]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
May 20, 2019
Rating:
