Nadal beats Djokovic, sets up Zverev clash in Rome final

Rafael Nadal closed in on an eighth Rome Masters title as he dismissed old rival Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 to reach the final for a record-extending 10th time.

The Spanish top seed will meet second-seeded holder Alexander Zverev, a 7-6 (15/13) 7-5 winner over Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic yesterday.

His impressive win over Djokovic will give Nadal added confidence ahead of the French Open, where he has won a record 10 titles.

Nadal, still unbeaten in semi-finals at the Foro Italico, unleashed a trademark clay-court attack after winning a tight first set lasting well over an hour in his 51st meeting with old rival Djokovic.

"I need to be able to play my best tomorrow," Nadal said of his Sunday final.

"I'm very happy with my game. It all worked for me, the tactics, the shots."
"To play against Novak you always have to play at the limit of your game with a high intensity and understand well the tactics you want to play."
"Nobody has ever, ever reached me in my entire career to ask me about what I think would be the best scheduling. I don't think that is fair, we will address it in the next players' council."
"Rafa was just better in the important moments, played the better shots. He deserved to win "I haven't had many breaks in the last period, so I'm pleased by how I've played in the last days. I hope Roland Garros can be the continuation."