Rome still has an emperor, at least in tennis.

As the Masters 1000 in the Italian capital takes place on clay, you don't have to look long to find his name: Rafael Nadal.

Above all, the Spanish once again passes the bar of 10. After Roland-Garros (13 titles), Barcelona (12) and Monte-Carlo (11), Nadal was crowned Sunday for the tenth time in Rome.

The world N.3 dominated in nearly three hours the N.1 Novak Djokovic 7-5, 1-6, 6-3.

In this 57th clash between the two stars, their sixth face-to-face in the final in Rome (4-2 for Nadal), the Mallorcan drew on his formidable rage to win to join the Serbian in the number of titles won in Masters 1000 (36 each).

An exhausting Saturday for Djokovic

Nadal mastered the first set, despite a big fall while taking the foot in a line while sliding, for the second time of the week, before experiencing an air gap in the second set. Djokovic, relying on solid forehands, took the opportunity to break twice and get back into the game. But faced with the world No.1, perhaps a little damaged by the nearly five hours spent on the court on Saturday (end of his quarter, then his semi-final), Nadal took things in hand in the third set, saving two break points against him at 2-2 before taking the service of the Serbian to fly to victory.

With this new trophy, the clay master sends a message to the rising generation of Zverev, Tsitispas or Sinner as to his favorite rivals Djokovic and Federer.

In Rome, he will indeed have been full of confidence before going on the hunt for a 14th victory at Roland Garros.

Very easy victory for Pliskova

Among the ladies too, it was the defending champion of the Parisian Grand Slam tournament which won Sunday in Rome. The Polish Iga Swiatek (15th in the world) left neither the slightest play (6-0, 6-0 in 45 minutes), nor the slightest hope to the Czech Karolina Pliskova (9th). About twenty minutes and the first set was already completed for Swiatek, with only four points given to his opponent. In the third game of the second set and already with another break against her, Pliskova finally won her first points in return and even two break points. But the Polish erased them without trembling to give the final blow to the former world number 1. Pliskova, but also all those dreaming of dethroning Swiatek at Roland Garros, are warned: it will be difficult to disturb the serenity of the young Polish woman, who will be 20 years old on May 31.

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  • Novak Djokovic

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