Defending champion:
Rafael Nadal (2) who defeated Novak Djokovic (1) 6-0 4-6 6-1
Final result:
- Novak Djokovic (1) (Serbia) v Diego Schwartzman (8) (Argentina)
The start for Djokovic was nothing short of a train wreck, dropping both of his opening two service games and trailing 3-0 to a surprised but heartened Schwartzman. It’s dangerous to be in a position of authority over the worlds best, and Djokovic began to tidy up the mess he had made, firstly by converting a break point in Schwartzman’s second commitment from the line.
The eighth seed still had a chance for 4-2 when leading 40-30, but let that advantage slip as well, and suddenly Djokovic was ahead 4-3.
Schwartzman will be kicking himself further because he wasted a break point in the ninth game which would have had him serving for the set.
Instead, Djokovic, after himself seeing a set point disappear in the tenth game, finally took the set 7-5, the fourth set point decisive.
At the line first in set two, Djokovic lost focus and lost serve. The remedy was swift, and games were levelled.
No more drama until game five, where the top seed faced 15-40. He didn’t panic and saved the situation.
At 3-3, Djokovic shifted into overdrive, winning 11 successive points with possibly his best tennis of the week, certainly the best of the final.
5-3 and 40-0 seemed like game over, but Schwartzman manufactured two wonderful returns, both resulting in Serbian errors and a little wobble for Djokovic.
The 40-30 point was terrific from both, and a fitting finale to the match, Djokovic winning it, the game, set and title 7-5 6-3.
5 titles in Rome, 36 Masters 1000 titles overall and 31 matches won this year - the only loss came from his racquet.
Nadal is normally and rightfully a raging favourite to take out Roland Garros, but surely this year the market has Djokovic much closer.
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