Djokovic beats Ferrer to reach Italian Open final

ROME — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic played more solidly than he had all week in a 6-4, 6-4 win over seventh-seeded David Ferrer today (May 16) to reach the Italian Open final.

Djokovic lost a set in each of his three opening matches at the Foro Italico, looking rusty from three weeks off.

But he was solid from the start against Ferrer, using one break in each set to take control and extend his winning streak to 21 matches.

Seeking his third Rome title, and second straight, Djokovic will face either Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka in the final. The two Swiss players were meeting later.

In the women’s tournament, 10th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain fought through her nerves and rallied past second-seeded Simona Halep 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the final.

Aiming for her second career title, Suarez Navarro will face either two-time Rome champion Maria Sharapova or qualifier Daria Gavrilova, who were playing later.

Suarez Navarro improved to 4-0 for her career against Halep on clay, creating trouble for the Romanian with her one-handed backhand.

She needed seven set points to close out the second set and three to end the third.

The match lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours.

This is the last big warmup for the French Open, which starts next weekend. AP