Djokovic into Rome final after 1,000th career win

World number one Novak Djokovic recorded his 1,000th career victory as he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets to book a place in the final of the Italian Open.

Djokovic had moved 4-0 ahead before Ruud, the world No 10, briefly rallied with a break back of his own at 5-3, but the Norwegian could not save the set slipping away.

The second set proved much closer, staying on serve until the seventh game when Djokovic eventually converted a fourth break-point chance.

A comfortable hold put the Serbian on the brink of a landmark victory, which he delivered with another break, smashing a forehand crosscourt return, to progress 6-4 6-4 through to Sunday's final.

"Thanks to the tournament and the crowd for celebrating the milestone with me," Djokovic said. "Obviously I've seen Roger and Rafa celebrate those milestones in the last couple of years. I was looking forward to get to that thousand myself. I'm really, really blessed to have that many victories on the tour.

"It's been a long time, ever since I played my first match, ever since I won my first match on the tour. Hopefully I can keep going."

Djokovic will now face world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who reached the Italian Open final for the first time after rallying to defeat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening semi-final.

Tsitsipas, who will rise to fourth in the new ATP rankings next week, overcame Zverev as he stayed consistent from the baseline and strong on serve throughout.

Zverev was clinical in the opening set with his first serve working like clockwork, but the German dropped a set for the first time in this year's tournament as Tsitsipas raised his own level in the second set.

Tsitsipas struck first in the decider, earning a break to lead 3-2 when Zverev sent