Novak Djokovic v Stefanos Tsitsipas – Italian Open final LIVE

Djokovic 6-0 *1-1 Tsitsipas

A rapid hold of serve from Djokovic with four unanswered points going his way. The Serb is still in full control at the moment.

Djokovic 6-0 0-1* Tsitsipas

That first set was the first time Tsitsipas had been bageled in his career in an opening set, including challengers and futures tournaments.

He finally gets on the scoreboard in the opening game of the second set to the delight of the Rome crowd.

Djokovic *6-0 Tsitsipas

A comfortable hold of serve for Djokovic, sealing it with a smash to take the opening set in 30 minutes. A bagel in a Masters final from the Serb tells you just how well he is playing today and sums up his performances levels all of this week.

Djokovic 5-0* Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas’ woes continue as Djokovic wins three points in a row to get two break points.

Tsitsipas pulls both back to get to deuce, but another unforced error from the Greek gives Djokovic a third break point and he converts as Tsitsipas smacks a backhand well wide. Djokovic is in complete control.

Djokovic *4-0 Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas is not being given an inch and Djokovic races further in front as he continues to dominate on his first serve.

Djokovic 3-0* Tsitsipas

Two winners from Djokovic off both wings brings him to deuce.Tsitsipas gets back to advantage, but Djokovic is looking to get this done early here.

A sixth winner puts Djokovic back on deuce before a double fault hands the world No.1 the advantage. Djokovic takes it as Tsitsipas hits a backhand out to go a double break up in just 13 minutes. Tsitsipas whacks his bag in frustration.

Djokovic *2-0 Tsitsipas

Djokovic has come to play. The Serb rattles off eight of the first nine points of the match to take full control in these opening stages.

Djokovic 1-0* Tsitsipas

Djokovic already goes a break up! The Serb’s service return are too much for Tsitsipas and he reels off four points in a row, the fourth being a giveaway as the Greek volleys into the net, to move into an early lead!

15:10 – The players are on court!

It’s another packed out crowd in Rome for what should be an epic. Djokovic leads 6-2 against Tsitsipas in the head-to-head and is 4-0 on clay.

15:00 – The road to the final

14:50 – Here we go!

Novak Djokovic may have made it 1000 wins on Saturday, but he faces a stern test in the Rome Masters final against Stefanos Tsitsipas if he wishes to make it 1001 this afternoon.

Djokovic is bidding to win his 38th Masters title. For Tsitsipas, he is playing in his first Rome final.

The men’s final is set to get underway at 3pm UK time. Stick with us here for live game-by-game updates!

Djokovic records 1000th career win against Ruud to set up Tsitsipas final

Novak Djokovic recorded his 1000th career win with a convincing 6-4 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud to reach the Italian Open final.

Djokovic dominated from the baseline against the Norwegian fifth seed in their fourth meeting on the ATP Tour and wrapped up the milestone win in one hour and 41 minutes.

The world No. 1, who becomes the fifth man in the Open era to earn 1000 wins, will play Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final after the Greek beat world No.3 Alexander Zverev in three sets earlier on Saturday.

The 34-year-old joins Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in reaching the 1000 win landmark.

Tsitsipas avenges Madrid loss against Zverev to reach maiden Rome final

Stefanos Tsitsipas has improved his head-to-head record to 8-4 against Alexander Zverev after coming from behind to beat the world No. 3 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the Italian Open final.

Tsitsipas’ 31st win of the season will see him play either five-time Rome champion Djokovic in Sunday’s final after a hard-fought win in two hours and 27 minutes.

“He wasn’t giving me much, he made me work hard for every single point,” Tsitsipas said after the match as he bids to win the third Masters title of his career.

“I’m extremely proud of the way things turned around, and I was able to read the gameplay a little bit better and understand what was working at that time.”

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