Novak Djokovic captured his fourth Italian Open title with a straight-set victory over Roger Federer on Sunday.
The world No. 1 stalwart Djokovic claimed his fifth title of the season with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over the second-seeded Federer.
Djokovic moved past Federer with his 24th ATP Masters 1000 crown, just three shy of all-time titles leader Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic improved to 19-20 lifetime against Federer, including 2-1 this year. After Federer beat Djokovic in the Dubai final, Djokovic returned the favor at Indian Wells. Djokovic is 3-0 against Federer in Rome, winning semifinal matches in 2009 and 2012.
The 27-year-old Djokovic is now 35-2 on the season, which includes titles at the Australian Open, the BNP Paribas Open, the Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. He has won 22 matches in a row since his last loss to Federer in the Doha final.
Djokovic is also on a 37-match winning streak at the highest-level tournaments: Grand Slams, ATP Masters 1000s and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. The run dates back to his title in Paris-Bercy last November.
The Serbian star also won this French Open tune-up in 2008 and 2011 in addition to last year and was a finalist in 2009 and 2012, losing to Nadal both times.
Federer, who was competing in Rome for the 15th time, is still chasing a first title here, falling in the final four times.
Djokovic, who took home $708,000 with the victory, improved to 53-23 in title matches. Federer fell to 85-44 in finals.
[SportsNetwork.com]
