Djokovic tames archrival Nadal anew

ROME — Novak Djokovic is just starting to get used to hearing his name mentioned in the same breath as the legends of the game.

The seemingly unstoppable Serb stretched his unbeaten start to the season to 37 matches on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final.

Djokovic’s streak trails only John McEnroe’s 42-0 start in 1984. Overall, the 23-year-old has won 39 consecutive matches stretching back to Serbia’s Davis Cup triumph in December, seven behind Guillermo Vilas’ Open era record set in 1977.

“It’s an incredible honor to be a part of tennis history in some way and part of an elite group of players — Federer, Nadal, McEnroe, (Ivan) Lendl, guys who were winning so many in a row,” Djokovic said. “I don’t know how much good it brings to tennis, but it’s good that someone else is able to win other than just Federer and Nadal. It makes it more interesting.”

The second-ranked Djokovic has racked up seven titles already this year, and beaten Nadal in all four finals they’ve played this year.

He defeated the Spaniard for the first time on clay in last week’s Madrid Open final and this win makes him the first player to beat Nadal on clay twice in the same year, a feat that comes exactly a week before the French Open starts.

Djokovic is collecting so many records that he had to take a long pause when asked which one he’s most proud of.

“I’m just most happy about the game I have this year on clay — the way I’m striking the ball and the way I’m so self-confident,” he eventually responded.

AP