Nadal fends off Djokovic to net ninth Rome title.

ROME: Defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal said he can’t wait to hit the clay courts of Roland Garros after claiming his first title this season and ninth Italian Open trophy.

Nadal defeated world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 for a record 34rd US Masters, leaving his vanquished foe to label the Spaniard as “the No. 1 favourite for Roland Garros”.

“I am going to be there with time enough, as always,” said 32-yearold Nadal, who wants to capture a 12th trophy in Paris.

“I’m going to repeat my normal routines. For sure I can’t wait to be there and have the feeling, see the stadium, watch all the new great things that Roland Garros is doing,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said of the rebuilt Philippe Chatrier Centre Court.

“I saw a picture. Looks great. Still open, still not closed.

“Is a different stadium, but the feeling probably will not be very different.

“This year, I don’t see a big difference. The wind is going to be the same as always. Court is still big.”

His first title this season, and particularly on his favourite clay surface, is a huge boost for the Spaniard.

“Happy to reach that level in the last tournament before a Grand Slam,” said Nadal.

“But, as I said, for me I don’t want to talk about Grand Slams now. I never did in the past. Important title, now’s the moment to keep going.”

Djokovic – winner at the Madrid Open last week – gave an errorstrewn display in his 54th meeting with second-ranked Nadal, having spent six hours on court in his previous two matches.

“For me, the most important thing is to feel myself playing well and feel myself healthy, with the energy that I need,” said Nadal.

“If that happens, experience is that I am going to fight for titles sooner or later.”

The 32-year-old had not dropped a set all week before the final taking a 6-0 set from four his five rivals.

“During the last couple of weeks, every day and every week have been better. And here we are finally with this great trophy, an important victory.”

Nadal pulled out of Indian Wells with a knee injury, and had not gotten past the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

“After Indian Wells, there have been some tough moments for me in terms of recovering again,” he said.

“I didn’t arrive very well prepared to Monte-Carlo. There have been some low moments for me.

“The first round in Barcelona, that was a disaster.”