Tennis: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win ninth Italian Open

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal.
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal. Photo credit: Reuters

Rafael Nadal claimed a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title with a three-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the Italian Open final.     

The defending champion triumphed 6-0 4-6 6-1 in two hours and 25 minutes in Rome on Monday (NZ time).

The Spaniard, who had shared the record of 33 Masters titles with the Serbian world number one, warmed up for the defence of his French Open crown by securing his ninth Rome title.

Nadal got off to a flying start by whitewashing a shellshocked Djokovic in the opening set. It was the first time there has been a 6-0 set during a meeting between the two rivals.

Djokovic took the second by breaking Nadal's serve for the first time while leading 5-4, but the second seed responded in style by storming through the decisive set.

Meanwhile, Czech world number seven Karolina Pliskova beat Britain's Johanna Konta 6-3 6-4 to land her third clay title in the women's final.

Earlier, New Zealand's Michael Venus and South African partner Raven Klaasen were beaten in straight sets in the men's doubles final.

They lost to defending champions Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal of Columbia 6-1, 6-3 in 58 minutes.

Reuters