Nadal picks up speed with victory in Rome
ROME (AP) Rafael Nadal is looking unstoppable on clay for a fifth consecutive year.
The top-ranked Spaniard won his record fourth Rome Masters on Sunday, beating defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (6-2), 6-2 for his third clay-court title in three weeks, adding to his victories at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open.
Having only dropped one set over the three-week stretch, it's tough to imagine someone taking three sets from Nadal at the French Open, which begins in three weeks.
The Spaniard will be aiming for a record fifth consecutive title at Roland Garros, which would break a tie with Bjorn Borg, who won six French Opens overall.
"Every tournament is completely different," said Nadal, who will play in the Madrid Masters before heading to Paris. "In Roland Garros we will see. Important thing is (to) play well. If I am playing well, I'm going to have a lot of chances to have good results in both tournaments. But you never know what can happen. Tennis is always like this."
Djokovic is the only player to take a set from Nadal on clay this year, in the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago. While Sunday's match was more lopsided, the Serb is shaping up as Nadal's most serious challenger in Paris.
Djokovic had rallied on Saturday to beat Roger Federer in the semifinals.
ROME (AP) Rafael Nadal is looking unstoppable on clay for a fifth consecutive year.
The top-ranked Spaniard won his record fourth Rome Masters on Sunday, beating defending champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (6-2), 6-2 for his third clay-court title in three weeks, adding to his victories at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open.
Having only dropped one set over the three-week stretch, it's tough to imagine someone taking three sets from Nadal at the French Open, which begins in three weeks.
The Spaniard will be aiming for a record fifth consecutive title at Roland Garros, which would break a tie with Bjorn Borg, who won six French Opens overall.
"Every tournament is completely different," said Nadal, who will play in the Madrid Masters before heading to Paris. "In Roland Garros we will see. Important thing is (to) play well. If I am playing well, I'm going to have a lot of chances to have good results in both tournaments. But you never know what can happen. Tennis is always like this."
Djokovic is the only player to take a set from Nadal on clay this year, in the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago. While Sunday's match was more lopsided, the Serb is shaping up as Nadal's most serious challenger in Paris.
Djokovic had rallied on Saturday to beat Roger Federer in the semifinals.
