Italian Open: Rafael Nadal outclasses Novak Djokovic for 9th Italian Open title

World number two, Rafael Nadal defeated the current world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to lift his record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome. This was Nadal's first title in 2019 after losing out on three consecutive claycourt semifinals. 

The Spaniard today outclassed the Serbian who seemed shellshocked since the opening set of the match. The timing for Nadal to get back to form couldn't have been more appropriate, as he will contest to extend his record of 12 French open titles, next weekend.

Nadal whitewashed the first set 6-0 as the Serbian accomplished a comeback in the second set, only to get be blown away 6-1 in the final set. 

Nadal was full of confidence in his post-match interview as well.

"Winning a title is important but for me the most important thing is feel myself competitive, feel myself healthy. Then with the feeling that I am improving. I know if I'm able to reach my level you can win, you can lose, but normally I'm going to have my chances, especially on this surface," Nadal said.

While Nadal looked quick and fast in the final, Djokovic looked exactly the opposite to him despite him winning the Madrid Open last week. 

"I don't want to talk about fatigue or things like that. Rafa was simply too strong today," Djokovic said. 

The Serbian only managed to win 29 percent of the points on his second serve, committing 39 unforced errors to Rafa's 17.