体坛英语新闻：Djokovic to meet Nadal in Rome Masters final

ROME, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Reigning champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia downed Roger Federer of Switzerland 4-6, 6-3 and 6-3 on Saturday to set up a Rome Masters final against world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain.

    Nadal, a triple champion, defeated Chilean 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 and 6-3 in the earlier semifinal.

    "He's going to be the favorite to win again," said Djokovic, "I have to play every point against him."

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his semi-finals match against Roger Federer of Switzerland of the Rome Masters tennis tournament in Rome May 2, 2009.

    Second seed Federer, yet to win a title this year, looked to be cruising when leading 6-4 and 2-1 but rain then stopped play for about an hour.

    The Swiss broke in the ninth game, went on to claim the first set before breaking the 21-year-old Serb again at the start of the second.

    "I feel this is not a match I should have given away. I was playing him well, serving well when I had to and putting him under pressure. The rain delay came at a perfect moment for him," said Federer.

    "It's a fact. I played much better after the break. I started being more patient, moving much better, giving him more balls back and making him play more," said the Serb.