The Rome Masters 2012 final match was a replay of last year’s but the results were reversed this time with Rafael Nadal beating top-ranked Novak Djokovic to earn his sixth Rome Masters title and earning the right to reclaim the number two ranking in the ATP rankings. Nadal beat Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 on Monday after rain washed out their scheduled play on Sunday.
The victory also means that Nadal once again holds the record with most ATP Tour Masters 1000 title at 21. In Madrid last week, Roger Federer drew level with a title win and had displaced Nadal.
The victory assured Nadal of being the second-seeded player at the French Open 2012 tournament.
“I am happy that I won in Rome without losing a set against the best players in the world like [Tomas] Berdych and [David] Ferrer and Djokovic,” said Nadal.
“I will have this trophy in my bedroom. It is a dream. [I have] the confidence I am playing well and this comes when I play at the right level. Hopefully I will keep playing like this,” he added.
Nadal aims to win the Roland Garros title for the seventh time this year. Last year, Nadal suffered six consecutive defeats against Djokovic and the seventh time was at this year’s Australian Open final.
“He is always the favourite, even if I win against him seven times; he is the best player in the world on this surface,” said Djokovic.
“I think that the match today was quite close, even if he won in straight sets. If you don’t use the opportunities against Rafa he gets momentum. I made a lot of errors which should not happen when you play against Nadal. I will go to Paris with confidence and I played a great week,” he added.
