Imperious Nadal blows away Djokovic to land ninth Rome title

Tennis - ATP 1000 - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 19, 2019 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic with the trophy REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli

ROME (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal proved that he would still be the man to beat when the French Open begins later this month after he humbled Novak Djokovic 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the Italian Open final on Sunday to win a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title.

The Spaniard, who had shared the record of 33 Masters titles with the Serbian world number one, warmed up for the defence of his Roland Garros crown by securing his ninth Rome title.