Watch: Novak Djokovic wins incredible rally against Aslan Karatsev at Rome Masters

Novak Djokovic opened his quest for a sixth title at the Rome Masters with a clinical straight-sets win over Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday.

The World No. 1 showed no sign of fatigue following his marathon Madrid semifinal defeat to Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, as he dominated proceedings from the get-go.

Djokovic enthralled the Foro Italico with his imperious shot-making and flexibility in an entertaining rally at the fag end of the first set. Serving at 5-3, 15-0, the 34-year-old played a well-timed drop shot. He followed that up with a forehand at full stretch before putting away a smart volley into the vacant court, with Karatsev nowhere to be seen.

The Serb proceeded to serve out the set before cruising through the second set to win 6-3, 6-2 against the Russian and move into the third round. Following his 60th win in the Italian capital, Djokovic said:

“You always hope you can play some exciting and attractive points, and that you can come out as the winner of those points and celebrate with the crowd. That’s what the crowd is looking for. Energy, excitement, fight, and they want to see some good tennis. We had some nice points today. It’s always good to play in the Colosseum of tennis, and this stadium certainly is.”

He will either face compatriot Laslo Djere or Stan Wawrinka for a place in the quarterfinals. Djokovic needs to reach the semifinals in Rome to hold on to his World No. 1 ranking and be seeded No. 1 at Roland Garros.

If Daniil Medvedev regains the top spot, he'll be the first player outside the Big 4 to be the top seed in a Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2004 Australian Open.

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Rafael Nadal looms large in Novak Djokovic's path to Rome final

Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2022 - Day Three

Novak Djokovic has a formidable record in Rome, reaching the final in 10 of his 15 visits to the Foro Italico.

The five-time winner has a difficult route to another final in the Italian capital, though. He's been drawn in the same half as 10-time winner Rafael Nadal and could face the Spaniard in the last four.

Djokovic has faced the legendary left-hander nine times at the Foro Italico, winning only thrice. However, two of those wins came in finals, in 2011 and 2014. Moreover, the Serb beat Nadal in the pair's last meeting on clay in the semifinals of the 2021 Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic hasn't beaten his great rival in Rome since the 2016 quarterfinals, losing twice in the final (2019, 2021) and once in the semifinals (2018).

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