Italian Open 2016: Rome Masters Final Schedule After Semi-Final Results

Novak Djokovic sealed his place in the Italian Open final on Saturday after being Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in Rome. 

Djokovic was forced to come from behind in an enthralling contest on center court, with a self-inflicted ankle injury visibly rattling the Serbian top seed, who engaged in a war of words with the umpire for the second match in succession.

In the other semi-final encounter, World No.3 Andy Murray overcame testing conditions to secure a 6-2, 6-1 victory against Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

Rainy weather in the Italian capital delayed the 3pm start time before a later rain-enforced interval but the Scot’s experience shone through as he reached his fourth ATP World Tour clay-court final in just 59 minutes of action.

Here are the latest results from the day’s action at the Rome Masters.

 

To access the full schedule for this year’s Italian Open, click here.

 

Saturday Recap

Djokovic was forced to go the distance in his clash with Japanese sixth seed Nishikori after struggling to settle in the contest from the off.

The 11-time Grand Slam winner was immediately frustrated with himself after letting early points slip in the opening game, crashing his racket against his ankle attempting to remove clay from the underside of his trainer.

He was forced to call for a medical timeout after the game and appeared to be hampered in his movement thereafter as Nishikori took full advantage in the opening set.

LiveTennis displayed the problems Djokovic encountered in the opening stages as he required medical attention:

#Djokovic holds to 30, narrowly after 2 Kei misses… And we’re getting the physio on already! Left ankle, it seems. pic.twitter.com/8h8NZAlqIQ

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) May 14, 2016

The 26-year-old worked on his opponent’s restricted movement with an array of drop shots to break at 2-1 before a lethal right-hander down the tram-line secured a 5-2 advantage. 

The New York Times’ Ben Rothenberg thought the Serbian favourite looked rattled early on in the contest:

Djokovic a bit of a shambles to start this match, bruising left ankle after accidentally whacking it with his racket. Strugglebunny moment.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 14, 2016

The 2014 US Open finalist took the opening set of the match to the surprise of the 10,000 capacity crowd but the Japanese player deserved he lead, with stats provided by BeinSports:

The crowd are shocked! Djokovic making costly errors & Nishikori’s brought his A-game. #ATPRome pic.twitter.com/SuJcUZTZPb

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 14, 2016

Nishikori would save four game points in his first foray in the second set, denying two further later on as he quickly transitioned from defence into attack.

However, Djokovic would regain the form that has seen him claim four of the previous five Grand Slam titles, forcing a third and final set with a decisive break point in the 10th game.

…

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com