Rome: Novak Djokovic clinches record 38th Masters title

Novak Djokovic clinched a record 38th Masters title as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in Rome

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Novak Djokovic won a record 38th Masters title in Rome

Novak Djokovic capped a historic week in Rome by capturing a record-extending 38th ATP Masters 1000 crown.

The World No 1 defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6 (5) in the final of Rome Masters to claim the first title of the season.

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Djokovic became the fifth man in the Open Era to earn 1,000 match wins when he defeated Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.

He backed that up with a hard-fought display against Tsitsipas to win in one hour and 37 minutes. The Serb also became the oldest Rome champion at 34 years, 11 months and 23 days.

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“I have been building my form for the past couple of weeks and I knew that my best shape on clay usually comes around Rome time, so it could not be better going into Roland Garros with a title,” Djokovic said.

The top seed, who will spend a record-extending 370th week at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings from Monday, has defeated Tsitsipas in consecutive years in Rome, having overcome the fourth seed in the quarter-finals in 2021.

Iga Swiatek extends winning streak

Iga Swiatek is going into the French Open on quite a run.

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The top-ranked Swiatek overwhelmed Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2 to defend her Italian Open title on Sunday and extend her winning streak to 28 matches.

Swiatek was a surprise champion at the French Open in 2020 when she was ranked No. 54.

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Now the 20-year-old Polish player is the favourite to add a second title at Roland Garros when the year’s second Grand Slam starts next Sunday.

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