Rome/Paris: Novak Djokovic fought back to stun defending champion and seven-time winner Rafael Nadal to claim the Rome Masters 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday.
Serbia’s world number two Djokovic claimed his third title on the red clay of Rome, having won in 2008 and 2011, the latter with victory over his Spanish rival.
Sunday’s win was also Djokovic’s 19th career Masters title and his 19th win against Nadal in 41 meetings.
Djokovic came to Rome having missed out on the Madrid Open as he continued his recovery from a wrist injury that he suffered at the Monte Carlo Masters.
But the Serb showed no signs of pain as he dispatched Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets before battling to three-set victories over Spain’s David Ferrer and hard-hitting Canadian Milos Raonic.
Djokovic, claiming his fourth consecutive win over Nadal on all surfaces — although three of them came on hard court — will now head to the French Open which begins next week with renewed confidence that he can claim a maiden title on the red clay of Roland Garros.
Despite a dominant first-set display the world number one allowed unforced errors to creep into his game as Djokovic launched a valiant fightback to put himself in pole position to win a first title at the forthcoming French Open.
Novak Djokovic closes in on top spot
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic closed within 650 points of world number one Rafael Nadal in the latest ATP rankings after defeating the Spaniard in the Sunday’s Rome Masters final.
Canada’s Milos Raonic, who pushed Djokovic to three sets in the semifinals, is the only mover amongst the top 10 as he replaces Kei Nishikori at number nine with the Japanese slipping to 10th.
