Djokovic does it again

 

Originally published on: 07/09/11 13:05

Novak Djokovic’s season reached remarkable new heights after the world No.2 saw off Rafael Nadal in Rome to ensure he would turn up at the second Grand Slam of the year undefeated in all of his seven tournaments since the turn of the year.

The supremely confident Serb fell to the floor with a roar of delight after dethroning the King of Clay for his ninth career Masters 1000 triumph – and fourth of the season – with a stunning 6-4 6-4 win at the Foro Italico.

Indeed, this was a greater feat for Djokovic than his scalp of the world No.1 a week previously in Madrid, where Nadal is less than fond of the high altitude that causes the ball to fly faster through the air. Truly at home in Rome, however, the five-time champion had lost just one match in his previous 32 ahead of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final, yet still the Spaniard had no answer to another phenomenal display from the Belgrade native.

“I have been doing everything that I can so I cannot ask myself more,” admitted Nadal. “I am trying and I am doing very well, but one player is doing better than me.”

Displaying ice-cool nerve on the crunch points and gleefully attacking high-bouncing balls with near-terrifying ferocity, Djokovic racked up his 37th straight win of 2011 and firmly indicated that the battle for the Roland Garros crown would be, at the very least, a two-horse race.

“[Rafa] is the king of clay and he is the best player ever to play on this surface,” said the world No.2. “I have won against him twice in the last eight days which I think is incredible, an incredible achievement for me. He has given me a lot of confidence for the French Open.”

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