This year’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia title will be contested between defending winner Novak Djokovic and world number one Rafael Nadal after both players outlasted their formidable rivals in the semifinals.
The Serbian rallied from a break down in the deciding set to beat Roger Federer 4-6 6-3 6-3. The Swiss world number two seemed on course to victory when he led 6-4, 2-1 before an hour-long rain interrupted the match. The momentary break seemed to have affected Federer’s momentum as Djokovic fought back to win the second set 6-3.
Federer’s loss means that the former would number one is still on a hunt for his first ATP title 2009.
In the other semifinal, Nadal easily defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in two sets 6-3, 6-3. The Spaniard will expect an increase in his ranking points by next week since his performance this week was way better than last year’s tournament wherein his claycourt winning streak was halted in the second round by Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The highly anticipated match-up between the Serbian and Spaniard will serve as the third meeting between the two this year, all contested in claycourts. Djokovic has not yet beaten Nadal in their past seven meetings on clay.
