ATP Italian Open 2018: Men's Singles Semifinal, Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, Live Match Updates

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Rafa needs just one more win to get back to the World No. 1 ranking.

He will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic.

To get a win over Djokovic, irrespective of much he has been struggling of late, will boost Nadal's confidence further.

And for Djokovic, who has still been trying to come back to form after an elbow surgery, the performance in the first set was pretty encouraging. He is moving in the right direction, but needs time and patience.

Final score: Nadal def Djokovic 7-6(4), 6-3 in 1 hour 56 minutes to enter the final.

Rafa thus keeps his semi-final record in Rome intact. He will aim to win the title at the Italian capital for an eighth time!

Djokovic saves one but Nadal earns the win with a backhand winner on the second match point.

Djokovic is struggling a lot in his service game. He has given Nadal 2 match points.

And Rafa finally HOLDS!!!!!

He leads 5-3

Rafa has a fourth game point.

This is a make-or-break game for the Serb

This continues to be a long time as the Serb keeps pouncing on the returns.

He saves another game point.

Deuce

Double fault from Rafa!

Deuce

And Rafa makes Nole run from side to side and gets a game point.

40-30

He is indeed making Rafa work hard on his serve. Some brutal hitting from both and it is 30-30

Djokovic has a comparatively easier service game. He holds to 15.

He trails 3-4.

Will this help him to find the fire?

Rafa holds and is up 4-2

It's 40-0 to Rafa on his service as he looks all set to get the win.

Djokovic seems to have lost his firepower at the moment. The Serb still needs some time to get back his confidence.

Djokovic struggles on serve but holds to 30 in the end.

Rafa still ahead at 3-2

Rafa manages to raise his level and HOLD!

It's 3-1 to the Spaniard!

It's a reinvigorated Nole, who is putting pressure on the Nadal serve now.

30-30

And Nadal BREAKS!!!!

2-1

What a backhand volley from Rafa!
3 break points for him!

Nadal is looking strong on the Djokovic serve. Strong returns put him up 30-0

It's 1-1

Rafa too is playing hassle-free at the moment.

Good length from Rafa so far.

30-0

And Djokovic holds 1-0

Smooth start for Djokovic on his service game in Set 2.

40-0

What a set that was!

Djokovic furious at himself and is shouting at his box!

With a backhand winner, Nadal grabs the first set 7-6(4)

Nadal moved Djokovic from side to side and the ball hit the tape and trickled to Djokovic's side

A sizzling backhand winner from the Serb!

He is 4-5

With a forehand, Nadal forces Djokovic to go long.

Nadal 5-3

What a forehand down the line from Nadal!

4-3

Big forehand winner from Djokovic.

3-3

A mishit on the backhand from Rafa.

He leads 3-2

Smash and Rafa is up 3-1

Bruising forehand winner from Rafa!

2-1

This time Rafa responds as he returns a Djokovic dropshot in style!

1-1

Djokovic gets the first point

Rafa was 5-2 up. From there it is 6-6 now. Pretty good comeback from the Serb!

And the Serb continues it to take this set to a tie-break.

And Nole responds!

15-15

Rafa looks determined to break the Djokovic serve instead of letting this go to a tie-break.

He gets the first point on the Serb's serve.

And the 10-time French Open champion holds!

6-5

This is proving to be a comfortable service game for the Spaniard so far.

He is up 40-0

This contest is living up to everybody's expectations so far!

And the Serb holds!!!! The crowd is chanting, "Nole, Nole!"

5-5

With a gutsy serve, Djokovic gets a game point.

Overhead from Nadal.

It's 30-30

The momentum looks to have shifted to Djokovic's side now. Strong passage of play from the Serb now.

Up 30-15 on serve