Novak Djokovic celebrates after victory in the Italian Open semi-final© AFP
Top men’s seed Novak Djokovic advanced to the final of the Italian Open for the 10th time on Sunday with a straight sets win over Casper Ruud. The world number one came through 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the final of the clay-court tournament he has won four times. Djokovic will also bid for a record 36th Masters title on Sunday, being currently tied on 35 with Rafael Nadal who fell in the quarter-finals. The 33-year-old next plays either Argentine eighth-seed Diego Schwartzman or Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the 12th seed.
Schrwartzman shocked nine-time Rome winner Nadal, the two-time defending champion on Saturday, in the tune-up event ahead of the French Open in Roland Garros.
Djokovic was pushed in his first meeting with 34th-ranked Ruud, but knew how to tighten his game at key moments of an intense match, to the delight of the fans.
For the first time on Sunday a maximum of 1,000 people were authorised in the stands at Foro Italico.
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