Story highlights
- Djokovic prevails 7-5 7-6
- Won 15 straight sets against Nadal
- Advances to semifinals in Rome
- But may face fine for making contact with umpire
(CNN)Novak Djokovic edged Rafael Nadal in a titanic tussle but may face a fine after the Serb pushed away the chair umpire's arm in the 7-5 7-6 (7-4) victory in Rome.
Djokovic rallied from 4-2 down in the first set and fended off five set points in the second to make it 15 consecutive sets won against the 14-time grand slam winner. He capped the first by winning a stunning rally, exhibiting brilliant defense.
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Despite the long losing streak against the current world No. 1, Nadal -- who was seen by the trainer for an issue with his left foot early in the second -- will probably be encouraged by his display Friday with just over a week to go before the French Open starts.
It was the tightest contest the two have played against each other during Djokovic's seven-match winning run.
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Roger Federer is back on the practice court after undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee in Switzerland three weeks ago.
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Federer was due to be out of action for at least a month after undergoing knee surgery.
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The Swiss revealed that surgery had taken place in Switzerland following an injury suffered after his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. The statement released by Federer's agent, Tony Godsick, didn't reveal how the tennis star injured himself.
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Djokovic beat the Swiss in four sets before demolishing Britain's Andy Murray in the final to claim a record sixth Australian Open crown and his 11th grand slam title.
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Djokovic is now six short of Federer's all-time record of 17 grand slam wins.
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Federer, who turns 35 this August, is still hugely popular with fans -- at court side in Melbourne (pictured) and all over the world.
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A fan in Melbourne expresses her adoration for the great Swiss. Federer said he was "so disappointed" to miss both the Rotterdam and Dubai tournaments because they are "two of my favorite tournaments on the ATP World Tour."
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A knee surgeon contacted by CNN said that the surgery shouldn't delay Federer for too long. "His age might put him at slightly more risk, but he's a consummate professional and is old enough to know that if he isn't ready, he'll just have to skip another tournament," Sean Curry, a specialist knee surgeon at London Orthopedic Clinic, told CNN.
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Nadal will also be buoyed by winning back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
The round of the affair -- the quarterfinals -- likely came too early for tennis fans given the duo's pedigree but the result at the Foro Italico ensures the two could face off in the French Open quarterfinals, and for the second straight year.
Djokovic's mission to help Serbia's children 07:31
Djokovic is seeking a maiden title at Roland Garros to complete his grand slam collection while the Spaniard aims for a 10th crown in southwest Paris and first grand slam since ousting his nemesis in the 2014 finale.
On a blustery day in the Italian capital, it was Nadal who initially coped better. He played solid tennis, while Djokovic generously donated -- uncharacteristically -- unforced errors.
With Djokovic in trouble at 2-4, 0-30, Nadal was unable to earn a double-break lead.
Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Far from forgotten – Despite his six-month absence because of a knee injury, Rafael Nadal was at the forefront of some supporters' minds when the 2013 Australian Open took place without him. The Spaniard's withdrawal meant he had dropped out of the top four for the first time since 2005.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
The comeback begins – In the distant setting of Chile, Nadal returned to action in the doubles event at the ATP Vina del Mar on February 5 2013 after 222 days away. He duly reached the final of the singles, only to lose to little-known Argentinian Horacio Zeballos.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Instant return – Days after losing in Chile, Nadal was able to celebrate his first trophy since winning the 2012 French Open. Playing on his preferred clay surface in Brazil, he beat Zeballos' compatriot David Nalbandian to begin his march back to the top of the rankings.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Raining trophies – The trophies continued in 2013 as Nadal followed up his Brazil success by winning in Mexico and then at Indian Wells too. His third final clash with an Argentinian resulted in victory over Juan Martin del Potro as Nadal became the player with the most Masters 1000 wins in history. "Seriously, it's impossible to have a better comeback, no?" he said.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Madrid Maestros – Real Madrid soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos watched Nadal beat compatriot David Ferrer, despite being just two points from defeat in their 2013 Madrid Open quarterfinal. Nadal went on to beat Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in his seventh consecutive final since his comeback.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Gladiatorial combat – Nadal won his first major of 2013 in Paris, after beating Ferrer in the final to win his eighth French Open. The real decider came in the semifinal where the Spaniard came back from a break down in the fifth set to beat Novak Djokovic in a clash that lasted four hours 37 minutes.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Deja vu – Nadal's spectacular return came crashing to a halt when he lost to Belgium's 135th-ranked Steve Darcis on the opening day of Wimbledon 2013 -- the Spaniard's second successive humbling at the London event after losing to Lukas Rosol round two in 2012. The deserved defeat was Nadal's first in the opening round of a grand slam.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Flying high – In a scenario barely imaginable at the start of the year, Nadal claimed his second major of 2013 when he beat Djokovic in the U.S. Open final. The title took his grand slam tally to 13 -- just four fewer than Roger Federer's all-time record.
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Back on top of the world – Having steadily climbed back up the rankings throughout 2013, Nadal returned to the No. 1 spot in unwanted circumstances -- after Tomas Berdych retired through injury in the semifinals of October's China Open. "(This is) one of the best years of my career without any doubt," Nadal said later. "It sure is special to be back to the top position of the rankings after more than a half year without playing tennis."
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Photos: Rafa's remarkable road back to the top (2013)
Final frontier – Boasting a career grand slam in addition to an Olympic gold medal and success in the Davis Cup teams event, the sole major title to elude Nadal is the ATP World Tour Finals. The 27-year-old beat Wawrinka in his second round-robin match to ensure he finished 2013, one of his most memorable years, as world No. 1 for the third time, having done so in 2008 and 2010.
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That seventh game was also when Djokovic clashed with umpire Carlos Bernardes, who has previously had his issues with Nadal.
With Djokovic holding a game point, Nadal's forehand down the line was called wide. Bernardes inspected the mark -- as is customary on close calls on clay since Hawk-Eye isn't used on the surface -- but as he did so Djokovic pushed away his right arm.
Bernardes didn't take any action against Djokovic although the ATP's rule book states he could be hit with a $10,000 sanction if the governing body deems he was guilty of "physical abuse."
Novak Djokovic ties Australian Open record 02:14
Nadal would pay for not breaking in the game.
He managed to save three set points serving at 5-6 but on the fourth, Djokovic flashed his remarkable retrieving skills.
Djokovic struck a defensive lob to stay in the point, reacted quickly to repel an overhead, scrambled to get to a volley, then lunged and instinctively struck a winning forehand volley to end the opener.
It was a major blow to Nadal but he broke to begin the second, leading Djokovic to bounce his racket in frustration.
Nadal maintained the advantage until the 10th game, but attempting to serve out the set at 5-4, the Spaniard failed to capitalize on any of the five set points.
Djokovic led 5-3 in the tiebreak and didn't relinquish the advantage to earn a semifinal match with either Kei Nishikori or Dominic Thiem.
Andy Murray, who defeated David Goffin 6-1 7-5, plays French lucky loser Lucas Pouille in the other semifinal. Pouille advanced when Juan Monaco withdrew due to a hip injury.
How clay helped make Nadal 03:42
