Clay king reigns in Rome

Spain's Rafael Nadal (right) is congratulated by Serbian Novak Djokovic at the end of the AFP Rome Masters final on Monday. Nadal defeated Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 to win the event. Filippo Monteforte / Agence France-Presse

Nadal claims sixth Italian Open title with emphatic win over world No 1 Djokovic, AFP reports

Rafael Nadal is hoping to finesse his sixth trophy at the Rome Masters into a lucky seventh at the French Open as the Spaniard heads to Paris for the Grand Slam beginning on Sunday. Nadal spent Monday on court instead of resting as he beat world No 1 Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 to lift a sixth trophy at the Foro Italico in a final delayed a day by rain.

The Spaniard has recovered his winning touch with two straight clay successes against Djokovic, who beat him in seven finals in 2011 on three surfaces.

Nadal has won 2012 claycourt titles in Monte Carlo (his eighth), Barcelona (his seventh) and Rome with his only loss coming in Madrid where he went down to compatriot Fernando Verdasco.

A month after stopping the Serb in Monte Carlo, Nadal and his team now travel to Roland Garros with the player in top form and fully confident once again.

"We will be in Roland Garros but now we are in Rome and it's a happy day to be here with the title another time," said Nadal, not wanting to look ahead in his moment of victory.

"Rome is historical and it is for me very important to keep playing to keep winning and I did today.

"This is a personal satisfaction."

Nadal, 16-1 on clay this season after winning the 49th title, said beating his rival was important for his confidence. "Winning is important, when you lose you play with doubts.

"This was an important match. I will put this trophy in my bedroom. It is a dream ... I am playing well. This comes when I am playing at the right level, hopefully I'll keep playing like this."

The 25-year-old said that despite regaining the No 2 ranking behind Djokovic to leave Roger Federer on third again, he is not concerned with the numbers.

"It is better two than three and three is better than four. But after eight years being in the top two, it is no big difference.

"It's normal for the rankings to change around Roland Garros or Wimbledon. I'm a few points from Roger. I'm happy about everything."

Finalist Djokovic goes to Paris aiming to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam sweep after winning Wimbledon and the US Open crowns last year and the Australian Open this year.

"I cannot say I'm not thinking about it," said the Serb. "There is the possibility to win four Grand Slams in a row.

"I will be preparing for this Grand Slam as I have all the others. It's a big event, it's two weeks long and one of our most important tournaments.

"I want to deliver my best game. I'm feeling good on the court, I just need to make a few adjustments before Paris, but I'll be in top form."

Dry day

Nadal said that he was pleased to have been able to come back on a dry day to play the final.

"We were here until 8.15 last night and we played today because we love this tournament. Yesterday the conditions were not perfect. The ATP made the right situation.

"It was a sad situation but I stayed one more day in Rome instead of resting. I preferred that because I love this tournament."

Djokovic said he was outplayed by the Spaniard.

"He is always the favorite, even if I've won agaisnt him seven times (2011 finals)," said Djokovic. "He is the best player in the world on this surface."

Djokovic failed to win a clay-court title as he prepares to go into Roland Garros.

Nadal stands 16-1 on clay this season after winning the 49th title of his career. He is 35-4 in finals on clay and moved back into the lead in career Masters 1000 trophies on 21, with Federer on 20 after his Madrid title of eight days ago.

The victory prevented Djokovic from a Foro Italico hat-trick after he won the event in 2008 and 2011.

"If you don't use the opportunities against Rafa he gets the momentum on his side and plays better," said Djokovic, who said he was pleased with his week despite the final defeat.

"I made a lot of unforced errors today. In my opinion, he didn't have to play his best, I made a lot of errors and that cannot happen when you play Nadal.

"What can you do? Nadal is across the net and you need a strong and precise shot. It's been a good week and he deserved to win."

(China Daily 05/23/2012 page23)