Djokovic and Sharapova Take Home Titles in Rome
World number one Novak Djokovic continued his dominance on the ATP Tour on Sunday, defeating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-3 in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final in Rome.
It is the fourth time he was won the Rome Masters and his fifth title of the season overall.
“I was able to find my way through,” said Djokovic. “Roger put a lot of pressure on my service game at 4-4, but I managed to respond well, to gain those break points, move him around the court, and then I played a couple of great points that gave me the set. When you’re a set up, the momentum is shifting to your side and you start to feel better.”
The Serb was able to get the only break of serve in the second set, and closed out the second-ranked player in the world in one hour and 16 minutes.
The win moves his winning streak to 22 consecutive matches as he continues to distance himself from the rest of the field in the world rankings.
Despite the loss, Federer was pleased with his overall performance in Rome.
“I know I can play better,” said Federer. “Novak was rock solid today, he played great throughout. He made very few unforced errors. I’m happy, feeling good and healthy.”
On the women’s side in Rome, Maria Sharapova outlasted Spain’s Carla Suarez-Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to win the Internazionali BNL d’Italia Woman’s Singles Championship.
After dropping the first set, Sharapova blew leads of 3-1 and 5-3 in the second set before eventually taking the second 7-5 and forcing a third set.
In the third, however, Sharapova capitalized on her momentum and dominated the action, cruising 6-1 in the decider to win the two and a half hour match.
“It wasn’t easy to find a rhythm out there, with the way she plays, and the wind—I really had to adjust,” said Sharapova. “But I’m proud I was able to stay in there. I never felt I was playing very clean until the end of the first set. So it shows that it’s good to hang in there and just stay positive out there. In the end, I was the fresher one, and the more aggressive one, so it’s all a positive.”
