By Erik Gudris | Sunday, May 17, 2015
Novak Djokovic claimed his fourth Italian Open title with a straight sets win over Roger Federer in the final.
Photo Credit: AP
In their last match before heading into this month's French Open, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic earned a straight sets win over No. 2 seeded Roger Federer in the Rome final.
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With that, Djokovic claimed his fourth career title at the Italian Open and extended his recent winning streak to 22 matches. He also solidified his standing as the man to beat in Paris as Djokovic goes in search for his first ever Roland Garros title.
In accepting his trophy, Djokovic told the crowd in Italian that "I played my best match of the week." On his chances for Roland Garros, Djokovic added, "I don't know what's going to happen, but I am playing with a lot of joy right now."
Djokovic, who had dropped a set in three previous matches in Rome during the week, saved his best for last against Federer. The Swiss star, seeking his first ever Rome title, employed an aggressive game plan right from the start that included multiple forays into net on the fast clay court.
Both men stayed level with each other early in the first set. That included Federer digging out of 0-30 in the third game on his serve. A backhand down the line winner from Federer soon leveled things at 2-all.
With Djokovic serving very well, Federer had trouble making any real inroads with his return game. Djokovic, as expected, also won most of the backcourt exchanges as the players found themselves knotted at 4-all.
Federer found himself with his lone break point chance of the afternoon in the next game. Federer won a backcourt rally at deuce to create his opportunity. Yet Djokovic proved too strong in the next point by winning another tough exchange from the baseline. Djokovic with strong serving finally held for 5-4.
Djokovic's own returns proved key in the next game. Digging out several returns off of deep Federer serves, Djokovic forced himself to deuce. Then Djokovic struck a rocket crosscourt forehand return winner giving himself a break point and a set point. One more long backcourt exchange went in favor of the Serb after Federer netted a backhand.
With that, Djokovic celebrated taking the closely contested first set 6-4.
The second set proved less tight as Djokovic took control and never looked back.
After an easy service hold, Djokovic put the pressure right back on Federer. With more penetrating returns, Djokovic quickly held two break points. Federer saved both, one with a textbook serve and volley play. But Djokovic again with stifling backcourt defense would hold another break point. Federer netted a forehand handing Djokovic a 2-0 advantage.
With a serving hold for 3-0, Djokovic by now had won 30 baseline points compared to just 12 for Federer.
From there, Djokovic kept hold of his lead with solid serving. At one stage in the second set, Djokovic won 100% of second serve points. Federer was far behind with only 18% points won. As Federer continued to be unable to make any dents any Djokovic's service games, the top seed soon found himself serving for the title at 5-3.
The last game proved a formality for Djokovic as more solid serving got him to match point. Federer committed a final forehand error and with that Djokovic sealed the 6-4, 6-3 victory in just 75 minutes.
Djokovic hit a total of 19 winners, 10 from his forehand, and hit a tidy 10 unforced errors. Federer hit more winners with 24, but also more unforced errors at 23. Though Federer was 13/20 up at net, his tactics up there didn't yield enough results as he would have hoped.
Djokovic now extends the list of titles won in 2015 to include the Australian Open and ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo. Rome is Djokovic's 24th ATP Masters 1000 title and he now trails by only three the all-time title holder in that department. Rafael Nadal has won 27 ATP Masters 1000 events.
Djokovic is now 35-2 on the year and is also on a 37-match win streak at Grand Slams and ATP 1000 events stretching back to the Paris Indoors last year.