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Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic claim Italian Open titles

Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic claim Italian Open titles
© Reuters
Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic sink Ons Jabeur and Stefanos Tsitsipas respectively to win the Italian Open in Rome.

World number ones Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic ended the day as Italian Open champions following respective two-set victories in Sunday's finals.

Madrid Open champion Ons Jabeur was no match for Swiatek on the day, and the Pole took only one hour and 23 minutes to claim a 6-2 6-2 win over her counterpart.

Swiatek has now triumphed in a whopping 28 successive matches, and she dropped to her knees as Jabeur netted a backhand return to hand her the Masters 1000 title.

"I want to congratulate Ons because she had such a good run on the clay court. You have shown fight, spirit, so much variety that it's really nice to have you on tour," Swiatek said during the trophy presentation.

"Your tennis is different and your tennis is really interesting for women's tennis I think. It wasn't easy for the whole week to play every day, but the crowd gave me so much energy that it was no nice to play here and be in Rome.

"I agree with Ons in terms of good pasta. I am going to celebrate with a lot of tiramisu. No regrets!"

Novak Djokovic reacts at the Italian Open on May 15, 2022© Reuters

Swiatek has now won five WTA titles since the turn of the year - adding to her Stuttgart, Miami, Indian Wells and Qatar victories after successfully defending her Italian Open crown.

Meanwhile, Djokovic was seemingly set to cruise to victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas after serving the Greek a bagel in the opening set, but the Serbian lost his touch in the second.

Tsitsipas broke for a 3-1 lead in the second set as Djokovic netted a forehand, and the world number five would attempt to serve for the set at 5-3 to level proceedings.

However, a fluffed dropshot from the Greek handed Djokovic the opportunity to break back into the contest - which he took - and the second set would go all the way to a tie-break.

Tsitsipas forced 5-5 in the crucial tie-break, but Djokovic would confidently serve for the match to win his 87th career title, his 38th Masters 1000 crown and a first ATP triumph of 2022.

Djokovic had been without success since the Paris Masters in November and had also lost the 2021 Italian Open final to Rafael Nadal, but a 6-0 7-6 [7-5] win saw him crowned champion of Rome for the sixth time.

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