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By Erik Gudris | Sunday, May 18, 2014

 
Novak Djokovic Rome Final 2014

Novak Djokovic, despite dropping the opening set, claimed his third Italian Open title over defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Photo Credit: AP
 

Novak Djokovic overcame dropping the opening set to win his third Italian Open over defending champion Rafael Nadal in Rome.

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The top two seeds entered Sunday's final having both endured several tough three set matches earlier in the week. Despite that, both men had something left as they enthralled the Foro Italico crowd with yet another entertaining contest in the 41st career meeting of their rivalry.



Nadal, taking advantage of an error-filled third game from Djokovic in the first set, claimed an initial break. With Djokovic looking unsure and often lunging for shots, Nadal profited by seizing yet another break for a 4-1 lead.

Angry with his sub-par effort, Djokovic struck back by breaking Nadal and threatening the Spaniard’s serve again at 0-40 in the eighth game. Yet more untimely errors from Djokovic allowed Nadal to escape with a hold for 5-3.

Nadal, with several strong serves, would eventually close out the set 6-4.

Djokovic, who earlier kept placing his returns too short in the court, changed things around in the second set. Finding the range on his backhand side allowed Djokovic to then produce several stinging forehand winners. Soon, Djokovic would break Nadal and surge out to a 3-0 lead.

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With Nadal drifting further and further back during his return games, it allowed Djokovic more opportunities to start and finish points on his terms. Though Djokovic wavered by surrendering his serve despite holding 40-0 in the next game, it was only a brief reprieve for Nadal. Several exceptional forehands from Djokovic created yet another break point for the Serbian. Nadal threw in a costly double fault giving Djokovic the lead once again.

Djokovic, with a well-timed ace a few games later, served out the set 6-3.

With Djokovic's form rising, Nadal was forced to raise his own level entering the final set. Djokovic broke Nadal in the opening game of the third and challenged again in the third game. Nadal, striking the ball with more intensity, managed to grind out a tough service hold to keep him in touch with Djokovic for 2-1.

Nadal upped the ante once more as Djokovic wavered midway through the set. Missing a volley, Djokovic found himself staring at 15-40 on his serve. Nadal forced the issue again setting up an easy put away that brought him to 3-all. Djokovic countered by breaking Nadal right back in the next game.

Finding his best form just in time, Djokovic would win 10 out of the next 11 points as he soon surged to a 5-3 lead. Djokovic wouldn't need to serve it out as he again imposed himself on Nadal's serve.

Up 15-40, Djokovic held two match points. Nadal would save one but would send a final backhand long on the second. With that, Djokovic celebrated the 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Djokovic struck 46 winners compared to just 15 for Nadal. The unforced error count was fairly even with 27 from Nadal and 30 from Djokovic.

"This is for Serbia and Bosnia", Djokovic would later write on a television camera lens in acknowledgement of the recent severe flooding occurring in that region.

Nadal later told the Italian Open website that that he was proud of his efforts during a tough week.

"Novak is one of the best in the world and is playing great. I played well at times, but my legs didn’t answer after a tough week. I can do better, but I am also proud about this week."

“In tennis terms it’s been a great week," Djokovic said. "To beat Rafa is a confidence booster. This match went over two hours and we played a lot of physical points.”

Djokovic's victory secured his third Rome title and fourth straight win over Nadal stretching back to Beijing last year. The winning result also puts Djokovic into contention for the world No. 1 ranking when both men head into Roland Garros at the end of the month.

 

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