Nadal tops Djokovic to reach Rome final; will return to No. 1 with title | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Friday / March 29.
  • Nadal tops Djokovic to reach Rome final; will return to No. 1 with title

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    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    Rafael Nadal is now one win from returning to No. 1 in the world.

    With his 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over rival Novak Djokovic in their 51st career meeting, Nadal advanced to the Rome final. He will seek his eighth career title there on Sunday against No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who held off No. 3 Marin Cilic 7-6(13), 7-5 for his 13th consecutive victory.

    It is Nadal’s 48th Masters 1000 final and 10th in Rome.

    Roger Federer, who is skipping the clay court season, became No. 1 last week after Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals in Madrid. Zverev then topped Thiem in the final.

    Djokovic now leads Nadal 26-25 all-time in a rivalry that spans more matches than any other two players in the Open Era. Djokovic also has a winning record against Federer (23-22), but he has not won a Grand Slam title since the French Open in 2016.

    Djokovic began 2018 with a 6-6 record, but his run in Rome has to boost his confidence going towards Roland Garros. He fought Nadal tooth and nail from the baseline with several highly entertaining points before succumbing in the first-set breaker.

    On match point on Djokovic’s serve, Nadal stroked a two-handed backhand up the line and then pumped his fist in victory.

    After the Rome final, Nadal will seek his 11th Roland Garros title at the tournament beginning May 27.

    If Nadal wins again in Paris he and Federer will have split the last six Grand Slam titles since 2017.

    Photo: Jose Morgado

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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