Rafael Nadal claimed his ninth Italian Open title as he beat Novak Djokovic in three sets on Sunday. It was the 54th meeting between world number two Nadal and one Djokovic, and the first in which either player had won a set without conceding a game. Nadal’s first title of the year was a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 crown as the Spaniard moved one clear of Djokovic on that front. While Nadal went into the final having not dropped a set all week, Djokovic had come through tough three-setters in each of the previous two rounds, and the former appeared the fresher on Sunday. Rafael Nadal (right) went into the final having not dropped a set all week (Gregorio Borgia/AP)The opening set lasted 39 minutes as Nadal broke three times and the first ‘bagel’ of their rivalry was registered, 142 sets in.

Source: Irish Examiner May 19, 2019 18:11 UTC