Imperious Nadal blows away Djokovic to land ninth Rome title

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Rafael Nadal proved that he would still be the man to beat when the French Open begins later this month after he humbled Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 in the Italian Open final on Sunday to win a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title.

The Spaniard, who had shared the record of 33 Masters titles with the Serbian world number one, warmed up for the defense of his Roland Garros crown by securing his ninth Rome title.

Nadal got off to a flying start by whitewashing Djokovic in the opening set. It was the first time there has been a 6-0 set during a meeting between the two rivals.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates the victory with the trophy in his men's final match against Novak Djokovic during Internazionali BNL D'Italia Italian Open at the Foro Italico, Rome, Italy, 19 May 2019. /VCG Photo

Djokovic took the second by breaking Nadal's serve for the first time while leading 5-4, but the second seed responded in style by storming through the decisive set.

When Nadal's previous three claycourt tournaments had ended in semi-final defeats, it no doubt gave his rivals hope that his long reign at Roland Garros could be coming to an end this year.

However, the way he demolished the world's top-ranked player in the opening and third sets on Sunday would have once again struck fear into any of those challengers who had been harboring hopes of lifting the Musketeers' Cup on June 9.

The Spaniard heads into Roland Garros in top form after seeing his serve broken just twice en route to claiming his first title of 2019 in his 50th Masters final.

"For me, it's always an honor to be here, I still remember my first time here in 2005," said Nadal, who will be chasing a record-extending 12th French Open title when the claycourt major begins on May 26.

"To have the chance to come back and win this trophy after so many years means everything. It wasn't an easy week for me."

The 32-year-old left Djokovic in a daze as he stormed through the opening set in 39 blistering minutes.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia stretches to play a forehand against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the men's final during day eight of the International BNL d'Italia at Foro Italico, Rome, Italy, 19 May 2019. /VCG Photo

The top seed fought back in the second as he saved four break points before winning the decisive game on Nadal's serve to take the set 6-4.

But the Serb, who had survived three-set battles against Argentines Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman to reach the final, faded in the final set as he dropped his opening service game before Nadal surged clear.

"I'm really glad that I managed to get into the third set, considering the first set where I was blown away from the court," Djokovic said.

"Obviously the third set was not much different from the first. I was just running out of fuel a little bit today. Just kind of missed that half a step, especially on the backhand side.

"He used it very well. He's been playing some terrific tennis throughout the entire week. He was just too strong today."

Pliskova wins women's singles

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic holds her trophy after winning the final of the WTA Tennis Open tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, May 19, 2019. /VCG Photo

Czech Republic's fourth seed Karolina Pliskova swept past Britain's Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4 to win the women's singles during the WTA Tennis Open tournament in Italy on Sunday.

The 2017 French Open semi-finalist Pliskova clinched her 13th career title in the final major warm-up tournament on clay before Roland Garros starts on May 26.

A break in each set was enough for the former world number one to get past Konta, sealing victory on her third match point after 85 minutes on court.

"It was a great week for me and my team," said the 27-year-old, now coached by former Rome champion Conchita Martinez.

She had never gone past the semi-finals in her four previous appearances in Rome. Last year she exited in disgrace after smashing a hole in the umpire's chair in a temper tantrum after losing in the second round.

Johanna Konta of UK in action in her women final match against Karolina Pliskova during Internazionali BNL D'Italia Italian Open at the Foro Italico, Rome, Italy, 19 May 2019. /VCG Photo

The 28-year-old Konta, the first British woman in the Rome final since Virginia Wade in 1971, will now be seeded at the French Open later this month.

"I'm definitely pleased with this week. This is my second final in three weeks. That's still quite an achievement," said Konta. "I'm looking forward to Paris."

(With input from agencies)

Source(s): Reuters