Novak Djokovic will roll into Roland Garros on a wave of momentum after beating Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Sunday afternoon. Djokovic needed two hours and 20 minutes–perhaps tame by the standards of these two men this week in Rome–to capture his third title at the event, his third title of the season, and improve to 19-22 lifetime against Nadal.
“It’s been a great week considering where I’ve been a few weeks ago with the wrist injury,” Djokovic commented. “Luckily for me I played with no pain and increased the level of tennis as the week went on. I’ve had some tough matches. Four out of five matches were three-setters and I had to come back from one set down yesterday against (Milos) Raonic and today again. That gives me a lot of confidence. Winning against Rafa in the final of a big tournament on clay, his preferred surface, is definitely a confidence-booster.
“I felt that Novak was pushing me and has a great talent to play inside the lines,” Nadal assessed. “I think this week is important for me. I won 600 points. I was able to play in another final here. I was able to compete well against one of the best players of the moment. I arrive to Roland Garros now more encouraged than how I felt a few weeks ago.”
Highlights:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rccro24N_Sw]
Djokovic breaks for 2-0 in the second set:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVyHPE8XWq0]
Djokovic interview:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbCZWtCFPRo]
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