Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic with epic display at Italian Open

Nadal is seeking yet another clay title for the season and impressed against his old foe in Rome.

The Spaniard won 7-6 6-3 in the end after Djokovic put up spirited resistance.

Nadal said afterwards: “Tough match of course, playing against him is always a big challenge.

“I was in advantage in the first set and then I played a couple of bad shots in that Game 7.

“He played well and no mistakes for him.

“It’s always the same against him. When you go down a little bit on your level then he’s always there and you are in big trouble.

“To play against him you always have to be at the limit of your game with high intensity and understand well the tactic you want to play.”

Nadal was the heavy favourite heading into the semi-final with Djokovic still regaining his form after months out injured.

And the Spaniard was the first to break in the opening set, winning his second break point in the sixth game of the match.

But Djokovic fought back, earned a break and forced a tie-break, which Nadal won 7-4 only after a rapid exchange of mini-breaks.

Into the second set and Nadal appeared the far more composed, breaking his man for 2-1 and then again to wrap up the match.

“I needed to play aggressive with my forehand,” Nadal added.

“I think the moments that I didn’t play aggressive with my forehand was the moments that I suffered more.

“When I played aggressive with my forehand and changing directions and changing a little bit the rhythm of the points with high balls, little bit lower balls and combining high balls with shots down the line was the moment I felt that I was a little more in control.”