Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the Italian Open final here on Saturday.
Nadal, who is now 10-0 in semifinals at the Foro Italico, broke loose after a tight first set lasting well over an hour to edge out Djokovic in their 51st career meeting in a rivalry stretching back to 2006.
Meanwhile in the women’s section, holder Elina Svitolina dominated Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3 in 74 minutes to reach a second straight final.
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The first meeting between Svitolina and Kontaveit featured four breaks of serve in the first eight games, with the fourth-seeded defending champion snatching the early lead after 39 minutes.
Svitolina moved to 3-1 in the second set, reached 5-3 with an ace and served out victory a game later on her second match point.
“I’m very proud of myself already that I reached the final. You know, it was really tough, from the beginning, from the first match,” World No. 4 Svitolina said.
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“I work for these kind of matches, I work on it every day. When my opponent tries to hit everything, I have an answer.
“Today, I think I was very solid with my performance. And this was really, really good. I’m very proud of this, that I could stay really consistent all match.”
The results:
Men: Semifinals: Rafael Nadal bt Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3. Quarterfinals: Djokovic bt Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3; Alexander Zverev bt David Goffin 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Women: Semifinals: Elina Svitolina bt Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3. Quarterfinals: Simona Halep bt Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3 .