Djokovic & Nadal to clash in Italian Open final

Speed Post News Network

Patna : World No 1 in ATP rankings and four time champion Novak Djokovic, Serbia, beat World No 24 Diego Schwartzman, 26, Argentina, in a three-set thriller in the semi-finals to reach the final of Italian Open on May 18, 2019, late night. Djokovic beat Schwartzman 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in 2hr 31 minute to reach the final.

Djokovic will face World No 2 and eight time champion Rafael Nadal, Spain, in the final at 7.30 pm on May 19, 2019. It will be 54th meeting between Djokovic and Nadal. Djokovic leads Nadal 28-25 head to head. The Serbian had demolished Nadal in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the final of 2019 Australian Open. Djokovic had also defeated Nadal in the semi-finals of Wimbledon championship in 2018 in a tough contest.  Nadal had last defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals of Italian Open in 2018. Nadal had beaten World No 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece, in the first semi-finals on May 18, 2019.

Djokoviv broke Scjhwartzman’s service four times in the match while the latter broke his service twice. The Serbian won 3 games in a row in the match to 2 by Schwartzman. Djokovic won 66 service points to 52 by Schwartzman. The Serbian also served 2 Aces in the match. Djokovic’s winning percentage on his first serve (70%) was better than that of Schwartzman (67%). But, Schswartzman’s winning percentage on his second serve (69%) was better than that of Djokocic (62%).