Rome (SunstarTV Bureau): Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak Djokovic to win a 10th Italian Open title last night. Second seed Spaniard Nadal won through 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 against the defending champion. Nadal also equalled Djokovic’s record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles in his 12th Rome final.
The title also re-established Nadal as the overwhelming favorite for the French Open, where he will be aiming for an even harder-to-believe 14th title starting in two weeks.
The Women’s Singles title has been won by Polish teenager Iga Swiatek. 15th seed Swiatek defeated ninth seed Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-0 with what is known as a double bagel score in the summit clash in Rome yesterday evening that lasted just 46 minutes.
In the men’s doubles, the second-seeded Croats Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic powered their way to their sixth Italian Open trophy, beating fifth-seeded Rajeev Ram of the USA and Briton Joe Salisbury the final 6-4, 7-6.
Women’s Doubles title has been clinched by Sharon Fichman and Giuliana Olmos after defeating Kristina Mladenovic and Marketa Vondrousova in the final, 4-6, 7-5, 10-5.
