Djokovic mastered a Swiss for a Rome win

Novak Djokovic overcame his Swiss opponent in Sunday's final, but it wasn't the expected Swiss world n°1 but his friend Stanislas Wawrinka.

Indeed in a disappointed day for the Semi-Finals where we saw Roddick and then Stepanek retired due to a back injury and some fatigue for the Czech. Where only 12 games was played overall in both matches.

So with his first Masters Series Final, Stanislas Wawrinka was sure to make his first appearance in the Top 10, grabbing the 10th spot. Djokovic would get very close to the 2nd spot of the rankings (310pts behind Nadal), and could be a reachable spot next week in Hamburg if Nadal doesn't defend his last year final points.

Djokovic showed some nervous reactions in the beginning of the match conceding his serve in the fifth game to give the lead to Wawrinka 3-2. The Swiss had chances for a double break, but despite being unable to convert, he confidently closed out the set 6-3 after 39 minutes as Djokovic returned a serve long.

En-route to the final Wawrinka beat some impressive players, Marat Safin in 3 sets for his first round match, then his long time friend since the junior Andy Murray, in the 3rd round he blasted Juan Carlos Ferrero likely tired from his win against fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal. And the top two American James Blake in a thrilling match and Andy Roddick after he unfortunately injured his back.

With his compatriot Roger Federer ranking at No. 1, it is the first time that two Swiss players have ranked in the Top 10 at the same time in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973). Djokovic fought back, and in the sixth game of the second set he got a key breakthrough and went on to level the match with some effective serve and volley play.

The Serbian was able to carry his momentum into the third set and broke in the opening game to lead 1-0. Wawrinka saved one match point at 3-5, 30-40, but when Djokovic earned a second as Wawrinka's forehand went wide the Swiss was unable to rescue the situation and a forehand winner from Djokovic secured his victory 4-6 6-3 6-3 in just over 2hr.

The Serbian claimed his fourth AMS title and his third title of the season after the Australian Open and Indian Wells. He had a pretty easy week facing no Top 10 players and having two of his five matches won due to retirement from Almagro and Stepanek. He now improves to 4-1 in career AMS finals and to 45-18 in overall AMS play.