Nadal, Djokovic set up final duel

Rome — Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic will resume their budding rivalry in the Italian Open final yesterday.

Nadal overcame a stiff first-set challenge from Richard Gasquet before rolling to a 7-5, 6-1 win in the semifinals Saturday and Djokovic was pushed to the limit in a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2) victory over fourth-ranked Andy Murray, extending his unbeaten streak to 38 matches after 3 hours and 1 minute of grueling baseline rallies.

“I think anyone who saw the match knew that the winner was not decided until the last point,” Djokovic said. “It was a fantastic match to be a part of.”

Djokovic has won all 36 of his matches this year, trailing only John McEnroe’s 42-0 start in 1984.

“Obviously it’s a great run,” said Murray, who served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. “I’m just disappointed with myself that I should have ended it tonight.”

Djokovic beat Nadal in title matches in Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year, then also won in Madrid last weekend, his first victory over the Spaniard on clay.

This tournament is another key clay warmup for the French Open, which starts next weekend.

“Every aspect of the game will be important,” Nadal said. “I know Djokovic is playing at an exceptional level right now but I just have to fight to the end like I always do. If I don’t beat him tomorrow, then the next match.

“I’ll probably play with less pressure than before because I (am no longer) the favorite,” added Nadal, who should be much fresher physically.

Nadal has won this tournament five of the last six years and owns a 31-1 record at the Foro Italico.

Djokovic finished his post-match press conference near 1 a.m. local time Sunday (2300 GMT) and was due to face Nadal at 4 p.m.

“This is not new to me,” Djokovic said. “I will do my best to recover.”

women’s final

In the women’s final, Maria Sharapova will meet last year’s French Open runner-up Sam Stosur.

Sharapova outslugged top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 and Stosur beat fourth-seeded Li Na of China 7-6 (6), 6-0.

Murray was unable to hold serve in the opening set, which Djokovic dominated with the help of an effective spinning drop shot.

In the second set, Murray began to win the longer points, taking a key break to go up 5-3 when Djokovic netted a backhand to conclude a tense rally in which neither player was taking much risk.

Murray double faulted when he served for the match at 5-4 in the third, letting Djokovic back into the set even though the Serb was in apparent physical trouble — stretching his legs between points.

Murray then fell apart in the tiebreaker, and was upset with himself for failing to close the match out.

/AP