Diego Schwartzman to face Novak Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters 1000
Argentine Diego Schwartzman (15th ATP) will challenge number 1 Novak Djokovic on Monday in the final of the Rome Masters 1000, after defeating Canadian Denis Shapovalov (14th) in an exciting duel on Sunday, 6-4, 5-7, and 7-6 (7/4).
After eliminating Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals, the Argentine defeated Shapovalov in a match that lasted three hours and ten minutes, in the presence of an audience for the first time in the tournament (up to 1,000 people).
Schwartzman, 28, the highest-ranked South American in the ATP rankings, will play his first final of a Masters 1000 category tournament.
Before that, Djokovic qualified for his tenth Roman final by defeating Norwegian Casper Ruud (7-5 and 6-3).
The world number 1 is seeking his 36th title in the Masters 1000 in Rome, which would allow him to surpass Rafael Nadal in this category, the second most important after the Grand Slam (both currently have 35 titles).
Djokovic struggled against Ruud, the 34th-ranked player in the world, but raised his level in the crucial moments of an intense match.
In the first set, with a score of 4-5, he even had to save two set points. Once again, brilliant on the wire, the Serbian walked towards a new victory.
"Even after 15 years on the circuit, I still enjoy myself and still have hunger for titles," said the 33-year-old player, referring to the presence of the audience in the stands for the first time in an ATP tournament after the circuit resumed after five months hiatus due to the pandemic.
"I hope there will continue to be an audience in the upcoming tournaments, I missed it a lot, like all the players. It is a good sign regarding the global situation of Covid, I hope things improve," said the world number 1, a four-time winner in Rome, the last time in 2015.
About the final, Djokovic pointed out that he does not take anything "for granted," despite being the favorite, and emphasized that Schwartzman had "the match of his life" against Nadal. AFP