Updates: Nadal Leads Djokovic In Rome Final

Rafael Nadal is one set away from claiming his ninth Internazionali BNL d'Italia crown and a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title. The second seed leads World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-0 in the Rome final after just 39 minutes.

Djokovic may have won nine of the pair’s past 11 FedEx ATP Head2Head matches, but Nadal wasted no time taking the lead at the Foro Italico. The Serbian dropped balls shorter than usual early on, allowing Nadal to pounce, stepping into the court to dictate play. It appears Nadal, who won three 6-0 sets en route to the final and has not lost a set, is the fresher man compared to Djokovic, who battled through two tough three-setters on Friday and Saturday evening against Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman, respectively.

Time On Court Entering The Final

Rafael Nadal	3:22
Novak Djokovic	5:34

In recent years, Djokovic has thrived in cross-court rallies between his backhand and Nadal's forehand, but the Spaniard has done well to avoid those battles from the back foot, only engaging in those rallies from an offensive position. Only towards the end of the set was Djokovic able to step in and take a couple of cross-court backhand early for winners. Nadal broke serve three times in the first set, earning 59 per cent of his return points in the opener.

This is an Open Era-record 54th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic. It is the 26th time they have played for a title, with Djokovic winning three in a row, most recently at this year’s Australian Open, where he faced just one break point and went unbroken.

Nadal arrived in the Italian capital without a title on the season for the first time since 2004, the year he claimed his maiden trophy. 

Did You Know?
This is the first time either player has won a 6-0 set in their epic rivalry.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour http://bit.ly/2QeaZpd