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...
How England is failing its youth footballers
Ex-NBA Chief David Stern Dies Aged 77
NPFL: Sporting, 3SC share spoils, Lobi go top...
Cameroon 2021 AFCON Round Of 16 War: The...
Cardiff, Fulham Beaten on Championship Return
BREAKING: Bayern Munich to part ways with Tuchel...

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: Dreaming of Olise, Musiala, Eze, Saka - Priceless Jewels Nigeria Lost To Treachery
Omewa brace powers Falcons past Senegal
Joshua open to Itauma fight
NWFL Super Six: Edo Queens’ beat FC Robo 4-1
FG, Onyema to immortalise Keshi
7TH U-13 JOF CUP: VI FOOT IJORA, SET UP FINAL CLASH WITH FORTUNE FA OSHODI
Major Boost For Anambra Football As NFF Approves Federation Cup Quarter-Final In Awka
SWAN, Anambra FA Resolve Over 2-year Feud
Durosinmi weds lover after leaving Eagles camp
Olise can be France’s breakout star at 2026 World Cup — Clichy
NWFL Super Six: Edo Queens’ chances still bright – Enabulele
Joshua hints at MMA crossover
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,843 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,170 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,121 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,687 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,593 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,490 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,325 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,892 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,072 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,573 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,006 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,450 views)