Nadal reigns supreme over Djoker in Rome

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Europe

01:43

Rafael Nadal has outclassed his long-term rival Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the semifinal of the Italian Open to set up a summit clash against Alexander Zverev.

This was the 51st meeting between the pair and first time since May 2017 that 16-time Grand Slam winner Nadal beat the Serb.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Novak Djokovic in Rome. /VCG Photo

In a captivating contest of heavy-hitting and dramatic point-snatching, a gritty Djokovic matched Nadal shot for shot, winner for winner in the opening set. However, it was a resolute Nadal, who clinched the tie-breaker quite comprehensively.

The Spaniard took control of the game in the second set as a hapless Djokovic, who underwent an elbow surgery in January and has been out of action for a while since then, couldn’t match up to Nadal’s power play and just faded away.

Alexander Zverev of Germany in action against Marin Cilic of Croatia in the semi finals during Italian Open /VCG Photo

“Playing against him is always a big challenge,” Nadal said. “He played well, and it's always the same against him. When you go down a little bit in level, he's always there and you are in big trouble.”

The King of Clay will now face world number three Zverev, who edged out Croatia's Marin Cilic 7-6 (15-13) 7-5, in the final.

(With input from agencies)