Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain speaks to the crowd at the socially distanced trophy ceremony after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win the Italian Open men's singles title in Rome, Italy, May 16, 2021. /CFP
Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated world No.1 Novak Djokovic from Serbia to win a 10th Italian Open title on Sunday while fellow French Open champion Iga Swiatek whitewashed Karolina Pliskova in just 45 minutes to claim the women's title.
Second seed Nadal won through 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 in two hours and 49 minutes against the defending champion to match Djokovic's record of 36 Masters 1000 titles and lay down a key marker two weeks out from the defense of his Roland Garros crown.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point over Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Italian Open men's final in Rome, Italy, May 16, 2021. /CFP
"I really wanted this title. This had been one of the first important titles I won in my career. I'd won 10 in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Roland Garros and really wanted this one too," said 34-year-old Nadal.
"I'm disappointed not to win, but pleased with my level," said five-time Rome winner Djokovic. "Going into Paris it's a good sensation. I feel like I want to feel on clay."
Iga Swiatek of Poland poses with the winner's trophy after winning the Italian Open women's singles title in Rome, Italy, May 16, 2021. /CFP
Polish teenager Swiatek crushed Czech ninth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0 to win her first Masters 1000 trophy on the red clay at the Foro Italico.
"I'm overwhelmed, at the beginning of this tournament I would not have dreamed of winning it," said an emotional Swiatek, who will break into the Top 10 as a result of her run in Rome.
"When I was playing I didn't even know what was the score," admitted the 19-year-old.
"When my coach told me it was 6-0, 6-0, I was, like, Really? Isn't that a mistake?"