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Novak Djokovic defeats Rafa Nadal to win his third Rome Masters

This content was published 10 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Novak Djokovic is the Rome Masters 2014 champion.
The Serbian star beat Rafa Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-3 to put his name on the trophy for the third time.
World no.1 Nadal looked in charge from the off as he took the first set, but Djokovic dug deep to defeat him and claim his 44th title.in total
Nadal twice broke Djokovic inside the opening five games to take control with a 4-1 lead.
But Djokovic soon had his own break as he pegged his opponent back to 4-2.
A huge ace from the Serb saw him hang on in the set at 5-4 before Nadal kept his cool to close it out after 47 minutes.
Djokovic then benefitted from a purple patch of his own in the second set.
Some stunning cross-court shots had Nadal chasing.
And when the Spaniard double-faulted at 5-2 down Djokovic seized the advantage to force a third.
The upper hand remained with Djokovic at the start of the final set, but Nadal kept fighting got to 3-3.
But that was as far as he would get as Djokovic staged a remarkable comeback to lift the trophy.
“This win and trophy is everyone at home,” said Djokovic as he dedicated his win to everyone in Serbia and Bosnia affected by the flooding.
“With the catastrophic floods that have taken over more than half our country they haves for the people at home taken a lot of hope. Me not being there hurts – If I was there I would have been helping.
“In tennis terms it’s been a great week. To beat Rafa is a confidence boaster. This match went over two hours and we played a lot of physical points.”
And Djokovic added: “It’s been a great week, considering how I was few weeks ago with the injury at my wrist and didn’t know how the wrist is going to react this week.
“Luckily for me I played with no pain, increasing the level of my tennis as the week went on. I had some tough matches: 4 out of 5 were three setters and had to come back from one set down yesterday with Milos Raonic.
“Winning a final of a great tournament with Rafa on clay is definitely an ultimate challenge.
“I am very happy with my game and I hope I can carry it to the Roland Garros.
“Going into the match today I was hoping that I could win, of course, I come into every match like that. But I do not underestimate any opponent and especially Rafa who is the best player ever in the history on this surface, we all know his record.
“I didn’t feel I had the match in my hands, but I do have the belief in myself and my abilities that in the end….mental strength, experience would have helped me to stay calm and play the right shots at the right times.”

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