PRIME SPORT – RAFAEL NADAL WIN’S ROME FOR 10TH TIME

Sunday’s final was a battle from start to finish. After holding to start the match, Djokovic drew first blood, breaking Nadal right away for a 2-0 lead—but Nadal broke right back, and after seven straight holds, the Spaniard broke again for 6-5 and blasted a huge inside-out forehand to clinch the set.

Things could have easily gotten away from Djokovic from there. He’d spent nearly five hours on court the day before—four hours and 56 minutes, to be exact—to complete a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 quarterfinal win over Stefanos Tsitsipas and hold off an inspired Lorenzo Sonego in the semis, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2.