Rome glory for Djokovic

Serb adds to growing reputation in Italy

Last updated: 12th May 2008

Novak Djokovic fought back to beat Stanislas Wawrinka in the final of the Rome Masters and earn the 10th title of his career.

The world number three recovered from the loss of the first set to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 to take the title Rafael Nadal has won in each of the last three years.

Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and followed up by taking the Masters Series event in Indian Wells in March.

"This is one of the best tournaments I've won," Djokovic said after closing the gap on Nadal in the rankings to 310 points.

Despite his continued improvement, the Serb does not believe he is yet ready to dethrone Roger Federer as the world number one.

Patient approach

"I hope so. But I don't want to think about number one yet," he said. "I know a lot of people will start talking now about me being one of the best players. Let's see. I'm taking it as it comes."

It was Wawrinka who converted the first break point of the match to take what proved to be a decisive 3-2 lead in the first set.

However, the Swiss began to make unforced errors in the second set and Djokovic made the most of his first break point of the match in the sixth game.

He then broke again early in the third and after Wawrinka had received treatment for a lower back problem, a further break settled the contest.

"I wanted to stay focused and positive," Djokovic said. "The important thing today was doing the right things at the right times."