Djokovic, Zverev reach Italian final

Novak Djokovic won twice Saturday to play for another Italian Open title, his first final since January.

Djokovic, the four-time champion, will play Alexander “Sascha” Zverev, the youngest Masters Series finalist at 20 since Djokovic won Miami a decade ago at 19.

The day could have dragged on for Djokovic, but he closed out Juan Martin del Potro quickly 6-1, 6-4 in their quarterfinal, suspended overnight because of rain. He resumed 6-1, 1-2 up. Then about seven hours later he dispatched Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-1, 6-0.

Zverev beat American veteran John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 with a strong all-court game.

On the women’s side, fourth-ranked Simona Halep advanced to the final and extended her clay-court winning streak to 10 matches by beating Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 7-5, 6-1. Halep will face 11th-ranked Elina Svitolina of Ukraine for the trophy after

Two-time defending champion Canada and Sweden will contest the final of the ice hockey world championship after winning their semifinals in contrasting style at Cologne, Germany. Canada stunned Russia by coming from two goals down in the third period to win 4-2, and Sweden comfortably beat Finland 4-1.

UCLA reached the championship round of its NCAA softball regional with a 10-2 victory over San Jose State. The Bruins will need one victory Sunday in the double-elimination event.

Michael Phelps all but slammed the door on another return to swimming’s biggest stage after competing in an exhibition event in Chicago.

“I’m happy,” the 23-time gold medalist said. “I think four years ago, I wasn’t. I think being able to come back and being able to finish how I did and being able to get back to where I wanted to get to — for me, at this point in my life and in my career, that’s all I can ask for. Right?”