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ROME – World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to lift his fifth Italian Open title on Monday, defeating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3 for his 36th ATP Masters title.
Playing in his first ATP 1000 final, eighth seed Schwartzman rushed out of the blocks to convert two break point opportunities for a 3-0 lead as Djokovic’s generally clinical backhand offered up a few errors.
An intermittent drizzle at Foro Italico, which included a handful of fans, added to Djokovic’s frustration, but he still found a way to beat Schwartzman’s serve to tie at 3-3.
Djokovic’s relentless baseline came to the fore when he broke Schwartzman in Game 12 to take the first set, despite making 18 unforced errors.
The top seed stepped up to break Schwartzman’s serve twice before serving the game comfortably to seal the victory, securing it with a drop shot. – Reuters
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