Novak Djokovic eases past Roger Federer in straight sets to retain Italian Open title

 
Novak Djokovic justified his odds-on favourite status for the impending French Open championship with an intimidating victory over Roger Federer to claim its main warm-up title.

The 27 year-old Serb repeated his triumph of last year at the Italian Open by beating Federer 6-4, 6-3 in 75 minutes on a baking afternoon at the Foro Italico, offering more evidence that he is finally ready to win in Paris.

It is the first time he has successfully defended a clay court title, and that will only reinforce his self-belief as he goes in search of the one Grand Slam he has never won.

Novak Djokovic lifts the Italian Open trophy after retaining his title in straight sets against Roger Federer

Djokovic raises his arms in victory after beating Federer at the Foro Italico in Rome on Sunday

Djokovic's attempt to open the champagne bottle went awry, however, when he hit himself in the face with the popping cork

The flying cork left the Serb with a grazed nose and a shocked look on his face

Djokovic celebrates after beating Federer in Rome by spraying Champagne 

Federer holds his runners-up plate aloft as Djocovic celebrates his win 

Djokovic gives Champagne to a cameraman after winning the Foro Italico in Rome

Djokovic was in superb form in Rome, taking just 75 minutes to win 6-4, 6-3 against one of his great rivals

Federer plays a backhand during the final as fans watch his clash with world No 1 Djokovic

An unexpected implosion under pressure, a revival from Rafael Nadal or something special from Andy Murray would seem the only ways to prevent Djokovic achieving what has become the main goal of his career.

Djokovic pledged that he would not crack under the pressure at Roland Garros: 'It’s not about avoiding the fear, it’s about confronting it,' said the Serb, who had a tiny cut on his nose where a champagne cork had hit him.

'Along with 2011 this is the best year of my career. I don’t know how it will continue at Roland Garros but obviously I have a lot of confidence. I don’t think I have to go and do anything more special there.'

But the man he defeated, Federer, still believes Nadal’s history at Roland Garros weighs heavily in his favour: 'Novak was rock solid today but you can’t take away the last ten years,' said the Swiss.

Djokovic keeps his eyes on the ball as he powers a forehand back towards Federer 

Federer threw everything at Djokovic in the first set but the Serb needed just a single break to win it

A capacity crowd watch Djokovic and Federer battle it out at the historic Foro Italico on Sunday

'Maybe he hasn’t had the same amount of success recently but we know how tough he is over best of five. That remains for me the situation.' 

Federer threw everything at him in the first set, knowing that there was only one outcome if he chose to trade from the baseline. 

His attacking strategy worked well enough and he even got a break point for 5-4, which was saved when Djokovic bludgeoned the ball cross court and broke down his backhand.

The Serb then pounced in the next game at deuce, firing two brilliant returns, the first being a clean winner and the second of which put the Swiss straight on the back foot.

There was no way back from that in this 39th meeting between the pair that now sees Djokovic catching up in the series on 19 wins. 

Federer is one of only two players to beat the world No 1 this year, but whether he would have any chance of doing it over best of five sets at Roland Garros is open to question.

Despite the crowd being all for his opponent, two breaks of serve were enough in the second set of what was, overall, a huge statement of intent from the world’s best player.