Rafael Nadal won his 34th Masters 1000 title – a record – with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open. The Spaniard, who had shared the record of 33 with the Serb, warmed up for the defence of his French Open crown by securing his ninth Rome title.

Nadal got off to a flying start by whitewashing the world No 1 in the opening set. It was the first time there has been a 6-0 set during a meeting between the two rivals. Djokovic took the second by breaking Nadal’s serve for the first time while leading 5-4 but the second seed responded in style by storming through the decisive set.

Johanna Konta reaches Italian Open final after victory over Kiki Bertens Read more

Johanna Konta’s hopes of victory in Rome were dashed as Karolina Pliskova powered her way to victory but the British No 1’s excellent run has ensured she will be seeded in the French Open, which starts next Sunday.

Pliskova claimed her second title of the season with a 6-3, 6-4 win, as Konta lost her second final of the month, after her defeat by Maria Sakkari in Marrakech. Nonetheless Konta, who beat Kiki Bertens, the world No 4, in Saturday’s semi-final, will rise to 26 in the rankings issued on Monday.

Pliskova broke in the second game and, although the unseeded Konta made life difficult and managed a break point late on, the Czech made only five unforced errors to take the first set 6-3.

The second set went with serve before Pliskova had the opportunity to establish a 4-3 lead. Despite saving three break points, Konta was unable to fend off the Czech a fourth time.

Pliskova made it 5-3 after Konta had fought her way back to deuce and, although the Briton held in the penultimate game, Pliskova converted her third championship point to take the title and secure the world No 2 spot in the new rankings on Monday.

Konta claimed some big scalps on her way to the final, beating the grand slam winners Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams as well as Bertens, who won the Madrid Open last weekend.

Unsurprisingly Konta remained upbeat, saying: “I’m pleased with how I’ve been progressing this year and how I’ve been improving with every match. To make it to a final here, this is my second biggest final after Miami, this is a big moment for me.”