Djokovic wins #6 Rome title

Final day in Rome.

2022 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, on Clay, in Rome, Italy, 8-15 May 2022.

Defending champion:

Rafael Nadal (2) who defeated Novak Djokovic (1) 7-5 1-6 6-3

Final:

Novak Djokovic (1) (Serbia) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) (Greece)

Djokovic had won the last five of the eight previous meetings between the pair, including the most recent - last years five set Roland Garros final.

As he had done in the semi final against Ruud, Djokovic began the final brilliantly, and he broke Tsitsipas to love in the opening game.

Tsitsipas let slip a 40-15 lead in game three, and Djokovic gained a double break.

For good measure, the top seed converted the third of three break chances in the fifth game for a 5-0 advantage.

Djokovic served the set out 6-0, an incredible scoreline.

Set two brought Djokovic back to earth in a big way.

Tsitsipas held his serve twice with confidence, then broke a faltering world number one.

At 1-4, Djokovic had 30-0, then lost three straight points to face another break point, but he steadied and the Tsitsipas lead was 4-2.

At 5-3, Tsitsipas served for the set.

After winning the opening point, He lost the next three to face two break points.

A wide forehand cost him the serve and Djokovic was back with a chance in the set trailing 4-5.

A tie break was eventually required.

Tsitsipas served at 2-2, and new backhand, giving Djokovic the mini break.

Points went with serve until Djokovic led 5-4 with two of his deliveries to come. Win these and the match was over.

Djokovic hit the top of the net with a forehand and it went wide. 5-5.

Strong serve and Tsitsipas returned long. Match point on the Tsitsipas serve.

A backhand from Tsitsipas landed wide and the contest ended.

Novak Djokovic won the Rome Masters 6-0 7-6(5). This was the sixth time he’d triumphed here, and he did it without dropping a set throughout the tournament.

His 38th Masters 1000 title.