Magnificent Djokovic claims 1,000th win to set up final with Tsitsipas in Rome

Djokovic
secured
a
return
to
the
top
of
the
rankings
by
defeating
Felix
Auger-Aliassime
on
Friday
and
the
legendary
Serb,
who
turns
35
next
week,
was
celebrating
again
in
Rome
on
Saturday
after
reaching
an
astonishing
landmark.

The
20-time
grand
slam
champion
beat
Ruud
6-4,
6-3
at
the
Foro
Italico
to
set
up
a
repeat
of
last
year’s
French
Open
final,
which
he
won
by
storming
back
from
two
sets
down
to
deny
Tsitsipas
a
maiden
major
triumph.

Djokovic
ensures
number
one
spot
and
edges
closer
to
ATP
Tour
milestone
after
sealing
progression
in
Rome

Djokovic
is
only
the
fifth
man
in
the
Open
Era
to
reach
1,000
wins
and
will
take
his
record
tally
of
ATP
Masters
1000
finals
to
an
incredible
55
on
Sunday.

A
five-time
winner
on
the
clay
in
the
Italian
capital,
Djokovic
made
a
blistering
start,
breezing
into
a
4-0
lead
as
Ruud
was
unable
to
hold
twice
under
huge
pressure
from
the
Serb.

Ruud
warmed
to
the
task,
breaking
back
to
reduce
the
deficit
to
5-3,
but
the
first
set
was
over
when
the
23-year-old
sliced
a
backhand
long
after
being
forced
wide
by
the
top
seed.

Norwegian
Ruud
started
the
second
set
with
a
commanding
hold
to
love
and
there
were
no
further
break
points
until
Djokovic
moved
into
a
4-3
lead.

Ruud
had
saved
three
break
points
with
excellent
defence
on
the
back
foot,
but
Djokovic
was
not
to
be
denied
at
the
fourth
time
of
asking.

Djokovic
consolidated
that
break
to
stand
on
the
brink
of
the
final
and
then
broke
again
to
seal
the
victory
with
his
20th
winner
of
the
semi-final,
dispatching
a
forehand
beyond
Ruud,
who
he
beat
at
the
same
stage
of
this
tournament
two
years
ago.

The
Belgrade
native
will
be
out
to
extend
his
record
of
ATP
Masters
1000
titles
to
36
when
he
faces
Greek
Tsitsipas
for
the
first
time
since
breaking
his
heart
at
Roland
Garros
last
season.