The Malta Independent on Sunday
Djokovic to face Roger Federer in Italian Open final
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic gave his best performance of the week to reach the Italian Open final, downing David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4 yesterday.
Djokovic lost a set in each of his three previous matches at the Foro Italico, looking rusty from three weeks off. But he was solid from the start against Ferrer, using one break in each set to take control and extend his winning streak to 21 matches.
Djokovic will tomorrow face Roger Federer who also gave a five star performance, easily beating Stanislas Wawrinka in an-all Swiss second semi-final
"Comparing to the previous matches, this was definitely the best so far," Djokovic said. "It's satisfying, and giving me reason to believe I can play at this level and maybe even better tomorrow.
"I did have some ups and downs in terms of overall per- formance in my first three matches. Today, consistency was the right word to use."
Seeking his third Rome title, and second straight, Djokovic will face either Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka in the final. The two Swiss players met late.
Djokovic's only complaint concerned the clay court. He often pointed out problematic areas to the chair umpire during the match, and workers came out during changeovers to smooth them over.
"In a couple of places the holes are really deep," Djokovic said. "If you slide and get into that hole you can twist an ankle easily. It's dangerous to play in these conditions."
In the women's tournament, two-time Rome champion Maria Sharapova reached the final by overpowering qualifier Daria Gavrilova 7-5, 6-3 in an all-Russian matchup.
Sharapova hit 27 winners to Gavrilova's 10 and recovered a break early in the second set.
Sharapova's opponent in Sunday's championship match will be 10th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, who fought through her nerves and rallied past second-seeded Simona Halep 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Aiming for her second career title, Suarez Navarro improved to 4-0 in her career against Halep on clay. She created trouble for the Romanian with her one-handed backhand and looping shots.
"Her style is to hit the ball very high. It disturbs me, and I couldn't hit anymore in the third set," Halep said.
Suarez Navarro needed seven set points to close out the second set and three to end the third. The match lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours.
This is the last big warmup for the French Open, which starts next weekend.