Grumpy at times and without offering the best sensations, but effective and lethal as the champion that he is, Novak Djokovic will play this Monday (4:00 p.m.) the final of the Masters 1,000 in Rome after beating with more difficulties than the score reflects Casper Ruud (6-5 and 6-3 in 2h: 09). It will be the fourth that I have disputed this year after winning those of Australia, Dubai and the Western & Southern Open with 100% success. He will do it against Argentine Diego Schwartzman, which after eliminating Rafa Nadal in the quarterfinals on Saturday, the Canadian Shapovalov also could in a tough and lasting match: 6-4, 5-7 and 7-6 (4)) in 3h: 15.
Against one of the Rafa Nadal Academy disciples, Djokovic was able to overcome a bad start, with a break behind, and carry on a difficult match, with long exchanges, several games that lasted around 10 minutes and alternatives that put his mental toughness and his incipient nerves to the test, which played a trick on him at the US Open and led him to break a racket on Saturday when he was seen surpassed at times by the German Koepfer. This time everything was left in a couple of shouts and a discussion with the chair umpire for a serve from his rival sung as good than in reality, as the hawk eye proved without legal validity, had not entered. For saying a bad word in Serbo-Croatian, he received a warning, according to him, “deserved.” Be that as it may, Nole surpassed Ruud, who had just eliminated Khachanov, Sonego, Cilic and Berrettini, and can undo the tie for Masters 1,000 titles he maintains with Nadal, both with 35. “I had to work hard to win every point,” acknowledged the Serbian, who looked better “in the second set.”
“You can see that Casper trains at Rafa's Academy, because he follows a similar game pattern, especially on gravel, with a lot of spin and a really impressive drive”he said with a smile about his opponent, the world number one, who can score 400 points if he is champion of Italy. “I will be ready against whoever touches me and I hope to get my hands on the trophy,” he wished. It could be his fifth crown in the Eternal City.
Results of the day.