Djokovic rallies to set up Nadal final showdown

Holder Novak Djokovic took advantage of Roger Federer's slump after a rain break to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 yesterday and set up a Rome Masters final against world number one Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, a triple champion here, powered past Chilean 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 6-3.

Second seed Federer, yet to win a title this year, looked to be cruising when leading 6-4 2-1 but rain then stopped play for about an hour.

The Swiss broke in the ninth game when Djokovic, whose concentration had been disturbed by a spectator whistling just as he was about to take his second serve, hit a forehand long.

Federer went on to claim the first set before breaking the 21-year-old Serb again at the start of the second. He had chances to go 3-0 and 4-1 up either side of the rain break before wild shots helped Djokovic force a third set.

The third seed then charged back from a break down in the decider.

"I feel this is not a match I should have given away because (I was a) break up in the second, break up in the third and I usually don't give away opportunities like that," Federer said.

Gonzalez pulled off the rare feat of breaking Nadal to love to rally after losing his serve early on. However the Spaniard produced a fierce reaction, winning the next six games on his way to victory.