Nadal advances to final
The latest installment in the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic met expectations for one tight set.
Then Nadal pulled away for a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win to reach the Italian Open final on Saturday.
In their 51st meeting but first in more than a year, Nadal’s court coverage eventually proved too much to handle for Djokovic, who is still regaining his form from a persistent right elbow injury.
“That was a tough battle, a good level of tennis, a combination of good tactics and great shots from both of us,” said Nadal, who has had injury trouble of his own over the past year.
Nadal’s opponent in Sunday’s final will be defending champion Alexander Zverev, who recovered from an early break in the second set to beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (13), 6-4.
Zverev destroyed his racket near the end of the tiebreak in which he saved five set points. The German player is aiming for his third title in three weeks after lifting trophies in Munich and Madrid — but he hasn’t beaten Nadal in four tries.
“On this surface (Nadal) is almost unbeatable,” Zverev said. “I’ll have to play my best.”
If Nadal wins his record-extending eighth Rome title, he will replace Roger Federer at No. 1.
Federer is sitting out the clay season to prepare for Wimbledon.
On the women’s side, topranked Simona Halep rallied past three-time Rome champion Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and will again face Elina Svitolina for the trophy.