World number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday battled past Italian Lorenzo Sonego to set up a clash with nine-time winner Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final.
Defending champion Djokovic won through 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in 2hr 44min against the 33rd-ranked Italian after second seed Nadal earlier swept past American Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4.
It will be the 57th career meeting between the pair, who have won 14 of the last 16 Rome titles between them, with Djokovic leading their overall head-to-head 29-27.
Nadal won their most recent meeting in last year’s French Open final.
