By Daily Sports on May 20, 2019
Rafael Nadal claimed his first title of the year by defeating world number one Novak Djokovic 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the Italian Open final in Rome.
The Spaniard raced through the opener in 39 minutes, the first 6-0 between the great rivals in 141 previous sets.
Djokovic battled back, but in the Rome sunshine Nadal sealed his ninth Italian Open title in two hours, 25 minutes.
It was his 81st tournament win and it takes him 34-33 ahead of Djokovic in Masters 1,000 Series titles.
Victory is a boost before the French Open for Nadal, who was beaten by Djokovic in the Australian Open final in January, and had lost at the semi-final stage in his past four tournaments.
Since 2005, Nadal has won at least one of the nine Masters 1,000 events in a season every year except 2015.
Nadal broke in the opening game of the decider, prompting Djokovic to demolish his racquet in frustration and with the Serb continuing to falter with drop shot attempts, Nadal surged to a 58th clay-court title.
It reduced his career deficit against Djokovic to 28-26, improving his record on clay against him to 17-7. (BBC)
•Photo shows Rafael Nadal
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 20, 2019
You may also like...
Manchester United close to deal for Porto right-back...
Ibra sparks Utd, Everton sink Foxes
NPFL: GTI commends Propel Sports Africa ahead new...
Napoli Threaten Legal Action To Stop Osimhen From...
Marcelo boost for Madrid ahead of El Clasico...
Ghana miss out of Russia train

depoju picks best World Cup moment June 16, 2026 4:18 am
Uruguay frustrated by dogged Saudi Arabia in World Cup draw
Iran begin fraught World Cup with 2-2 New Zealand draw
Nigeria ranks 2nd among W’Cup absentees
Ndidi gets Saudi option amid Besiktas uncertainty
Otu siblings advance at CBN Senior Tennis Champs
Management cost Eagles World Cup spot – Supporters club chief
Otu, Udofia target CBN senior tennis title
Edo Queens win second NWFL title
Unbeaten Adeshina completes NCAA sweep
Havertz, Balogun, Ayari in early lead for FIFA golden boot race
Onitsha Country Club Inaugurates N200m 300-seater Capacity Standard Tennis Pavilion, One-storey Bar
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,864 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,192 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,130 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,715 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,610 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,497 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,350 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,901 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,090 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,580 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,033 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,462 views)