Gladiator spirit: Novak Djokovic makes historical past as he places US Open controversy behind him to win Rome title

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Serbian world primary Novak Djokovic put the frustration of his US Open disqualification firmly behind him as he received the Italian Open in Rome, giving him a document ATP Masters 1000 title haul.

Showing in his 10th closing on the clay in Rome, Djokovic battled previous Argentine eighth seed Diego Schwartzman in straight units, 7-5 6-Three. 

The title handed the Serb a document 36th Masters 1000 crown, edging him one forward of fellow nice Rafael Nadal on the all-time listing, with Swiss legend Roger Federer additional behind on 28 titles. 

Primary seed Djokovic was compelled to scrap exhausting towards Schwartzman because the Argentine opened up a Three-Zero lead within the first set, earlier than Djokovic picked up 4 video games in a row to get proceedings again on serve. 

The Serb then broke decisively in recreation 12 to take a hard-fought set 7-5. 

The beginning of the second set noticed the pair change breaks earlier than Djokovic wrestled management by breaking to like in recreation eight after which serving out the match to win a fifth title in Rome. 

“It was a fantastic week, a really difficult week,” Djokovic stated on court docket after the win.

“I don’t assume I performed my finest tennis all through all the week however I feel I discovered my finest tennis once I wanted it essentially the most within the decisive moments, in the present day, yesterday, virtually each match.

“In order that makes me positively very happy and proud that I managed to seek out that fifth gear when it was most wanted. Now we’re turning to Paris. I couldn’t ask for a greater event right here in Rome, one other massive title and super-pleased with that.”

The win will present some consolation for Djokovic, 33, after his controversial exit from the US Open earlier this month, the place he was defaulted from his final 16 match towards Pablo Carreno Busta when he unintentionally struck a line choose with the ball.

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Disqualification apart, Djokovic is unbeaten in 2020 and his consideration will now flip to the clay courts of Roland-Garros and the French Open, the place he will likely be bidding for an 18th Grand Slam title. 

Spanish ‘king of clay’ Rafael Nadal, a 12-time winner within the French capital, suffered a shock early exit in Rome, falling to Schwartzman within the quarterfinals.