Djokovic wins Italian Open to claim first title in over six months

Tuesday, 17 May 2022 00:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ROME (Reuters): World number one Novak Djokovic claimed his first title in over six months after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0 7-6(5) to win the Italian Open on Sunday.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic

celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas - REUTERS

Djokovic did not drop a set en route to the final in Rome, having picked up his 1,000th tour-level victory by beating Casper Ruud in the semi-final to book a clash with Tsitsipas - a repeat of last year’s French Open final, which the Serb won.

It was the sixth-successive win for Djokovic over his Greek opponent.

It was also Djokovic’s sixth Italian Open title, and first since winning the Paris Masters in November.

It has been the perfect week for the 34-year-old, who became only the fifth man in the Open Era to reach the 1,000 wins milestone after Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and Rafa Nadal, ahead of the start of the French Open next Sunday. “I surprised myself I can say,” Djokovic said. “I had a clear game plan, and I knew what to expect, so I knew what I had to do, but I did play a perfect first set.

“After that it was a little tighter. At this level, one or two points can turn a match and he was then back in the game at 4-1 up. The match could easily have gone to a third set, but I managed to find the right shots at the right time to come back into the match.

“I have been building my form for the past couple of weeks and I knew that my best shape on clay usually comes around Rome time, so it could not be better going into Roland Garros with a title.”