Nadal conquers Rome en route to Paris

ROME: Rafael Nadal’s forehand gave Novak Djokovic fits in the latest instalment of the most played rivalry in modern men’s tennis.

A whopping 26 forehand winners — 15 in the first set alone — helped Nadal to a 75, 16, 63 victory and a recordextending 10th Italian Open title.

Whipping forehands are Nadal’s biggest weapon and they were on the mark just a fortnight out from the French Open.

‘‘I have been playing better and better with my forehand the last couple of weeks, getting to the confidence point,’’ Nadal said.

‘‘That’s a huge improvement for me, very important shot. Especially on clay it [gives] me confidence.’’

The title reestablished Nadal as the overwhelming favourite at Roland Garros, where the Spaniard will be aiming for an almost unthinkable 14th title.

But Nadal preferred to focus on his achievement in Rome — at least for the moment.

‘‘To have this trophy in my hands for the 10th time is something hard to believe,’’ Nadal said, recalling how he won his first title at the Foro Italico in 2005 as an 18yearold, when he beat Guillermo Coria in a match lasting more than five hours.

‘‘Now, 16 years later, to play in the final again is incredible,’’ Nadal said in Italian during the trophy presentation.

‘‘It’s difficult to describe. Without a doubt this is one of the most important places in my career.’’

Three forehand winners helped Nadal produce the decisive break in the third set, when Djokovic’s energy level appeared to dip.

‘‘He managed to break my serve and played better. That’s it,’’ Djokovic, who won the event last year, said.

‘‘I had my shot to win it but wasn’t meant to be.

‘‘I didn’t feel fatigue. Actually, I was very happy with the way I felt on the court.

‘‘I could have gone for another few hours.’’

It was the 57th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic, which is the most matches between two men in the Open era.

It was their ninth meeting in Rome, where they have played more than anywhere else.

Djokovic now holds the slimmest of edges in the alltime series, 2928, while Nadal holds a 63 advantage in Rome overall and 42 in Rome finals.

The 10,500seat Campo Centrale stadium was only a quarter full due to the Covid19 pandemic.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES A perfect 10 . . . Spaniard Rafael Nadal (right) poses for photos with Serb Novak Djokovic yesterday after beating him in the final of the Italian Open title in Rome. Nadal won 75, 16, 63 to claim his 10th Italian Open title.