Ultimate showdown set up for Rome final as Novak Djokovic digs deep

Novak Djokovic will take on Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final for a sixth time after backing up a dramatic victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas by seeing off home hope Lorenzo Sonego.
Nadal holds the edge with three wins to Djokovic’s two in previous finals, while the Spaniard is bidding for a 10th title in Rome and his opponent a sixth.
The pair have shown once again this week why they have dominated the sport for so long with their physical and mental fortitude.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1393666747153018880?s=20
Nadal saved two match points against Denis Shapovalov in the third round while Djokovic somehow came through a two-day thriller against Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals and then another three-setter against Sonego.
Postponed because of rain on Friday with Djokovic a set and a break down, the world number one also trailed in the deciding set against Tsitsipas before eventually coming through 4-6 7-5 7-5.
The Greek has arguably been the player of the season so far and he showed why, but he was unable to serve out the match at 5-4 in the third set as Djokovic simply refused to be beaten.
The top seed returned to the court in the evening against Italian Sonego, who continued his giant-killing run on Saturday morning by knocking out Andrey Rublev 3-6 6-4 6-3.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1393650192914731008?s=20
This looked set to be a more straightforward outing for Djokovic but he saw two match points come and go in the second set before finally clinching a 6-3 6-7 (5) 6-2 victory.
Now he will face Nadal for a 57th time looking for a first win on clay over his great rival since the quarter-finals of the same event five years ago.
Nadal’s 6-4 6-4 victory over giant American Reilly Opelka came in his 500th match on clay and extended his record to a ridiculous 458 wins and 42 losses.
It maintained the Spaniard’s perfect record in semi-finals in the Italian capital, and he said: “Rome is such an important tournament for me. To be in the final again is so important for me.
“In terms of preparation for Roland Garros, I consider the job done. Tomorrow is not at all preparation. It’s a final, an important one, and I want to be competitive. I want to play a good match and let’s see.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Mats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make ’10 grand slam finals’
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-3 to set up a final with Belarusian fifth-seed Sabalenka.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open day 11: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach women’s final
The story of the 11th day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
News
Aryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final
Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic plunged into fresh controversy and he needs to fix it quickly
Novak Djokovic needs to do all he can to clean up the mess created by his father as quickly as possible.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Andy Murray shares hilarious mock lipreading video from Thanasi Kokkinakis clash
Andy Murray saw the funny side of a TikTok video showing mock lipreading captions of footage from his Australian Open second round win.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic still motivated by Rafael Nadal rivalry
That Grand Slam record is on Novak Djokovic’s mind for sure.
-
News
Elena Rybakina clinches straight sets semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final at the Australian Open.
-
Tennis News
Boris Becker says Novak Djokovic ‘thrives’ on noisy crowds
Djokovic eased past Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the quarter-finals, but the match was disrupted by a heckler.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic in new media storm as his father is filmed posing with Russian flag wavers
Video showed Djokovic’s father Srdjan posing with a man holding the Russian flag with the face of Vladimir Putin printed on it.
-
Australian Open
John McEnroe questions Iga Swiatek’s emotional state after Australian Open exit
John McEnroe suggested world No 1 Iga Swiatek needs to rediscover a stable mindset to get back to winning ways.