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...
Mourinho ready for challenges ahead at Man United...
Costa sends Chelsea top of the table
Mikel, Akpeyi make Olympic squad
Super Falcons To Feature In U.S. Four-Nation Tourney...
Cristiano Ronaldo responds to tax complaint: The best...
Mane: Why Man City Legend Watched Liverpool Training...

Onuachu, Osimhen, others set for title defences as new season begins
Hrgovic confident of Itauma upset
Thrills as Nigerian women win 2026 ABVD Cup
Ajibade, Babajide promise Falcons comeback
Madugu apologises, Falcons heartbroken as NFF probes W’Cup failure
Agege LG boss kicks off 2026 Obasa Summer Games
Super Falcons miss first Women’s World Cup after 2-1 S’Africa loss
Joshua, Fury fight hits stumbling block
Coach apologises to Nigerians over Falcons World Cup miss
Katsina United clarifies Ozor’s death report
SWAN Congratulates New Anambra CP Ama On Assumption Of Duty
SWAN congratulates New Anambra CP Ama on assumption of duty
Rangers International going, going . . . (64,023 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,378 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,273 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,873 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,752 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,629 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,521 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (52,031 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,242 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,711 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,200 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,581 views)