Rafael Nadal has quelled a resurgent Novak Djokovic to reach the final of the Italian Open in Rome for the first time since 2014.
While Nadal came out on top 7-6 (7-4) 6-3, Djokovic’s performance showed that he is close to finding his best form again after nearly two years of struggle, and there was no mistaking how much the Serbian wanted to win.
Djokovic, one of only two men ever to beat Nadal at Roland Garros, traded with his rival from the baseline and at times outplayed him, even if it was not quite enough in the end to topple him.
Nadal claimed an early break and surged into a 5-2 lead but Djokovic fought back, winning three games in a row. But it was Nadal who lifted his level again in the tiebreak, clinching it with a return that just caught the line.
The second set followed a similar pattern, although this time Djokovic was unable to reclaim the early break, and Nadal celebrated exuberantly after clinching victory with an hour and 56 minutes on the clock.
The Spaniard moves through to a final against either defending champion Alexander Zverev or Marin Cilic.
Victory would see him reclaim the world No.1 ranking, while Djokovic can head to Paris knowing he is a contender for the biggest titles once more.