Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to win a ninth Italian Open title and a record 34rd Masters crown on Sunday.
World number one Djokovic, winner at the Madrid Open last week, produced an error-strewn performance in his 54th meeting with second-ranked Nadal, who claimed the 81st title of his career.
The 👑 of clay is back in business…
That’s 34 #ATPMasters1000 🏆 for Rafa Nadal 👏
🎥 @TennisTV #ibi19 pic.twitter.com/c2m0dnOAcp
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) May 19, 2019
Just LOOK at what this means to @RafaelNadal 👏💪#ibi19 pic.twitter.com/wepSuLxcd5
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) May 19, 2019
The timing for Nadal’s return to form could not have been more opportune, as he will seek a record-extending 12th title at the French Open starting next weekend.
Top-ranked Djokovic, meanwhile, appeared exhausted after spending more than 5 ½ hours on court against Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman the previous two days.
Djokovic was also coming off the Madrid Open title last week.
In the women’s final earlier, Karolina Pliskova captured the biggest clay-court trophy of her career by beating Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4.