the serbian Novak Djokovic declared after beating the Norwegian Casper Ruud (6-4 and 6-3) and reaching the final of the Masters 1,000 in Rome that “hopefully I can maintain the level” in the final against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“I played very well, I started fantastic with the 4-0 in favoralthough then I lowered the level and I didn’t feel so good for 15 or 20 minutes and he took advantage of it to close the gap”, explained the Serb on the track.
“I have always felt that I was inside and I think I’ve played very, very well in the first four games and in the last four, at the beginning and at the end of the game, hopefully I can maintain the level tomorrow”, added the tennis player.
‘Nole’ reaped the victory number 1,000 of his entire careeran achievement that was very pending: “Thanks to the tournament and the public for celebrating with me. I saw Roger and Rafa reach this figure and I was looking for it too. It’s been a while since I won my first match, I hope to win more” .
About his rival, who eliminated the German Alexander Zverev, he said: “Another final against him in one of the best tournaments on the circuit. Stefanos is a high level player, always at the top and winning. A tough game awaits me, two years ago we played a very long game and a great battle”, valued the Serbian, who has also managed, on the Italian clay, to keep the number 1 until Roland Garros.