Gladiator spirit: Novak Djokovic makes history as he puts US Open controversy behind him to win Rome title

Serbian world number one Novak Djokovic put the disappointment of his US Open disqualification firmly behind him as he won the Italian Open in Rome, giving him a record ATP Masters 1000 title haul.

Appearing in his 10th final on the clay in Rome, Djokovic battled past Argentine eighth seed Diego Schwartzman in straight sets, 7-5 6-3. 

The title handed the Serb a record 36th Masters 1000 crown, edging him one ahead of fellow great Rafael Nadal on the all-time list, with Swiss legend Roger Federer further behind on 28 titles. 

DJOKO-VICTORIOUS ????

The moment @DjokerNole won his 5th Rome crown - and a record-breaking 36th Masters 1000 title! #IBI20 pic.twitter.com/IHrXJVxKl5

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 21, 2020

Number one seed Djokovic was forced to scrap hard against Schwartzman as the Argentine opened up a 3-0 lead in the first set, before Djokovic picked up four games in a row to get proceedings back on serve. 

The Serb then broke decisively in game 12 to take a hard-fought set 7-5. 

The start of the second set saw the pair exchange breaks before Djokovic wrestled control by breaking to love in game eight and then serving out the match to win a fifth title in Rome. 

“It was a great week, a very challenging week,” Djokovic said on court after the win.

NO STOPPING NOVAK ????@DjokerNole is the @InteBNLdItalia champion ???? pic.twitter.com/Fz8PaEoVCD

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2020

“I don’t think I played my best tennis throughout the entire week but I think I found my best tennis when I needed it the most in the decisive moments, today, yesterday, practically every match.

“So that makes me definitely very satisfied and proud that I managed to find that fifth gear when it was most needed. Now we’re turning to Paris. I couldn’t ask for a better tournament here in Rome, another big title and super-pleased with that.”

The win will provide some comfort for Djokovic, 33, after his controversial exit from the US Open earlier this month, where he was defaulted from his last 16 match against Pablo Carreno Busta when he unintentionally struck a line judge with the ball.

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Disqualification aside, Djokovic is unbeaten in 2020 and his attention will now turn to the clay courts of Roland-Garros and the French Open, where he will be bidding for an 18th Grand Slam title. 

Spanish 'king of clay' Rafael Nadal, a 12-time winner in the French capital, suffered a shock early exit in Rome, falling to Schwartzman in the quarterfinals.