By ADAM ZAGORIA
Rafael Nadal is now one win from returning to No. 1 in the world.
With his 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over rival Novak Djokovic in their 51st career meeting, Nadal advanced to the Rome final. He will seek his eighth career title there on Sunday against No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who held off No. 3 Marin Cilic 7-6(13), 7-5 for his 13th consecutive victory.
It is Nadal’s 48th Masters 1000 final and 10th in Rome.
Rafa, the Clay GOAT, takes out Djokovic 7-6, 6-3 to advance to the Rome final. pic.twitter.com/RceqqAXVU4
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 19, 2018
13 consecutive wins, and 30 for the season!
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Alexander Zverev storms into the #ibi18 final with a 7-6(13) 7-5 win over Marin Cilic. pic.twitter.com/gZT4hbddQI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 19, 2018
Roger Federer, who is skipping the clay court season, became No. 1 last week after Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals in Madrid. Zverev then topped Thiem in the final.
Djokovic now leads Nadal 26-25 all-time in a rivalry that spans more matches than any other two players in the Open Era. Djokovic also has a winning record against Federer (23-22), but he has not won a Grand Slam title since the French Open in 2016.
Novak has a winning record against the other members of the ‘Big 4’ – Nadal, Fed and Murray. pic.twitter.com/i2un9s1WLI
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 19, 2018
Djokovic began 2018 with a 6-6 record, but his run in Rome has to boost his confidence going towards Roland Garros. He fought Nadal tooth and nail from the baseline with several highly entertaining points before succumbing in the first-set breaker.
On match point on Djokovic’s serve, Nadal stroked a two-handed backhand up the line and then pumped his fist in victory.
After the Rome final, Nadal will seek his 11th Roland Garros title at the tournament beginning May 27.
If Nadal wins again in Paris he and Federer will have split the last six Grand Slam titles since 2017.
Photo: Jose Morgado
