Novak Djokovic v Stefanos Tsitsipas - Italian Open final as it happened
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ByEurosport
Updated 15/05/2022 at 20:56 GMT
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic is aiming for his sixth Rome Masters title as he steps up his clay court preparations ahead of the French Open. The Serb faces a tough challenge in the form of Stefanos Tsitsipas, with the Greek star having already triumphed on clay this season, winning in Monte Carlo back in April.
Novak Djokovic
Image credit: Getty Images
Report: Djokovic 6-0 7-6(5) Tsitsipas
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic ramped up his preparations for the French Open with an impressive 6-0 7-6(5) win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Stadio del tennis di Roma.
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Novak Djokovic
Image credit: Getty Images
Djokovic has won it!
Djokovic has won his first title in over six months as he claims a 38th Masters 1000 title of his career, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0 7-6(5).
For Tsitsipas, it is his fifth successive defeat on clay against Djokovic.
Djokovic 6-0 6-6 (*5-5) Tsitsipas
A Djokovic forehand bounces off the net and out to get Tsitsipas level!
Djokovic 6-0 6-6 (5-4*) Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas holds his two service points, but Djokovic still have the mini break here and will serve for the match.
Djokovic 6-0 6-6 (*4-2) Tsitsipas
Djokovic's sixth ace of the match moves him to within three points of the Rome title.
Djokovic 6-0 6-6 (3-2*) Tsitsipas
Djokovic takes an early break as Tsitsipas' attempted backhand down the line strikes the net.
Djokovic 6-0 6-6 (*1-1) Tsitsipas
A 17-shot rally goes the way of Djokovic.
Djokovic 6-0 *6-6 Tsitsipas
The quickest game of the match so far as Djokovic rattles through his service game, finishing with an ace to force the tie-break.
Djokovic 6-0 5-6* Tsitsipas
An excellent hold from Tsitsipas who eases through the game after a flurry of strong first serves and finishes off with a quicker second serve. Tsitsipas has the lead again in this second set.
Djokovic 6-0 *5-5 Tsitsipas
No jeopardy for Djokovic in this game. He delivers a crushing winner to make it three games in a row for the world No. 1.
We are in prime Djokovic time now. He will be doing all he can to get the break in the upcoming 11th game.
Djokovic 6-0 4-5* Tsitsipas
A failed Tsitsipas dropshot into the net gives Djokovic two break points at a pivotal moment in this contest. Tsitsipas whips a wild forehand into the trams and Djokovic roars as he breaks back! We're back on serve.
Djokovic 6-0 *3-5 Tsitsipas
Two winners and an ace sees Djokovic hold his serve. Tsitsipas will have to serve this set out.
Djokovic 6-0 2-5* Tsitsipas
From 15-30 down, Tsitsipas comes back to win his service game, ripping a forehand winner to take it.
Djokovic 6-0 *2-4 Tsitsipas
An attempted Djokovic dropshot lands on his own side of the net and Tsitsipas has the chance to go a double break up.
A ferocious crosscourt backhand gets Djokovic on deuce before he holds his serve with a winner and an ace.
Djokovic 6-0 1-4* Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas' forehands have greatly improved while Djokovic's backhands have slowed. The world No. 5 holds his serve to move within two games of taking the second set.
Djokovic is visibly not a happy man at the changeover with the crowd firmly on Tsitsipas' side.
Djokovic 6-0 *1-3 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas' name rings around Campo Centrale as a rare Djokovic unforced error off his backhand gives Tsitsipas two break points.
He gets the break at the first time of asking as Djokovic's forehand bounces off the net cord and lands on his side of the court! Tsitsipas is back in this!
Djokovic 6-0 1-2* Tsitsipas
Certainly some improvement from Tsitsipas at the beginning of this second set as he recovers from losing the first point by winning the next four. He is returning Djokovic's service returns with greater aggression than in the first set.
Djokovic 6-0 *1-1 Tsitsipas
A rapid hold of serve from Djokovic with four unanswered points going his way. The Serb is still in full control at the moment.
Djokovic 6-0 0-1* Tsitsipas
That first set was the first time Tsitsipas had been bageled in his career in an opening set, including challengers and futures tournaments.
He finally gets on the scoreboard in the opening game of the second set to the delight of the Rome crowd.
Djokovic *6-0 Tsitsipas
A comfortable hold of serve for Djokovic, sealing it with a smash to take the opening set in 30 minutes. A bagel in a Masters final from the Serb tells you just how well he is playing today and sums up his performances levels all of this week.
Djokovic 5-0* Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas' woes continue as Djokovic wins three points in a row to get two break points.
Tsitsipas pulls both back to get to deuce, but another unforced error from the Greek gives Djokovic a third break point and he converts as Tsitsipas smacks a backhand well wide. Djokovic is in complete control.
Djokovic *4-0 Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas is not being given an inch and Djokovic races further in front as he continues to dominate on his first serve.
Djokovic 3-0* Tsitsipas
Two winners from Djokovic off both wings brings him to deuce.Tsitsipas gets back to advantage, but Djokovic is looking to get this done early here.
A sixth winner puts Djokovic back on deuce before a double fault hands the world No.1 the advantage. Djokovic takes it as Tsitsipas hits a backhand out to go a double break up in just 13 minutes. Tsitsipas whacks his bag in frustration.
Djokovic *2-0 Tsitsipas
Djokovic has come to play. The Serb rattles off eight of the first nine points of the match to take full control in these opening stages.
Djokovic 1-0* Tsitsipas
Djokovic already goes a break up! The Serb's service return are too much for Tsitsipas and he reels off four points in a row, the fourth being a giveaway as the Greek volleys into the net, to move into an early lead!
15:10 - The players are on court!
It's another packed out crowd in Rome for what should be an epic. Djokovic leads 6-2 against Tsitsipas in the head-to-head and is 4-0 on clay.
15:00 - The road to the final
14:50 - Here we go!
Novak Djokovic may have made it 1000 wins on Saturday, but he faces a stern test in the Rome Masters final against Stefanos Tsitsipas if he wishes to make it 1001 this afternoon.
Djokovic is bidding to win his 38th Masters title. For Tsitsipas, he is playing in his first Rome final.
The men's final is set to get underway at 3pm UK time. Stick with us here for live game-by-game updates!
Djokovic records 1000th career win against Ruud to set up Tsitsipas final
Novak Djokovic recorded his 1000th career win with a convincing 6-4 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud to reach the Italian Open final.
Djokovic dominated from the baseline against the Norwegian fifth seed in their fourth meeting on the ATP Tour and wrapped up the milestone win in one hour and 41 minutes.
The world No. 1, who becomes the fifth man in the Open era to earn 1000 wins, will play Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final after the Greek beat world No.3 Alexander Zverev in three sets earlier on Saturday.
The 34-year-old joins Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in reaching the 1000 win landmark.
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Tsitsipas avenges Madrid loss against Zverev to reach maiden Rome final
Stefanos Tsitsipas has improved his head-to-head record to 8-4 against Alexander Zverev after coming from behind to beat the world No. 3 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the Italian Open final.
Tsitsipas' 31st win of the season will see him play either five-time Rome champion Djokovic in Sunday's final after a hard-fought win in two hours and 27 minutes.
“He wasn’t giving me much, he made me work hard for every single point," Tsitsipas said after the match as he bids to win the third Masters title of his career.
"I’m extremely proud of the way things turned around, and I was able to read the gameplay a little bit better and understand what was working at that time."
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