ROME – Novak Djokovic rallied after a rain delay to beat Roger Federer, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, Saturday and reach the Rome Masters final, extending Federer’s title drought to seven months.
It’s the second consecutive Masters Series final on clay for Djokovic, after the Serb lost to Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.
Federer wasted breaks in both the second and third sets.
“I feel like this is not a match I should have given away,” Federer said. “I usually don’t give away opportunities like this.”
Djokovic will face Nadal again in Sunday’s final, after the top-ranked Spaniard cruised past 12th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, 6-3, 6-3. (AP)