Nadal beats Djokovic and will face Zverev for Rome title

ROME (AP) — 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.

Svitolina comfortably defeated Anna Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

In last year's final, Svitolina came back to beat Halep after the Romanian rolled her ankle.

"I hope I don't get injured again," Halep said. "It's a great opportunity."

This is the last major warmup before the French Open starts next weekend.

The first set alone of NadalDjokovic made the Open era's most prolific men's rivalry worth watching. Djokovic recovered from an early break with excellent shot-making and Nadal converted his first set point with a return winner on the line after Djokovic followed his serve to the net.

During one particularly entertaining point midway through the first set, Nadal ran down a drop shot and forced Djokovic to retreat with a smartly angled response before Djokovic came forward again to finish the point off with a volley winner.

Fans stood up and applauded them on multiple occasions.

"It was a really good quality match," Djokovic said. "I enjoyed it."