Novak Djokovic reaches Italian Open final after claiming 1,000th tour-level victory

Novak Djokovic said he is ready for a "big battle" against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Italian Open final after the world No 1 earned his 1,000th tour-level victory with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Casper Ruud on Saturday.

Djokovic will be playing in the final in Rome for the fourth straight time and 12th overall. It will be a repeat of last year's French Open final, which Djokovic won after fighting back from two sets down.

"Again, another final against him in one of the biggest tournaments we have in the world," Djokovic told reporters. "He's definitely in form. I can expect a big battle, but I'm ready for it."

Djokovic, 34, is only the fifth man in the Open Era to reach the 1,000 wins milestone after Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and Rafa Nadal.

"I've seen Roger and Rafa celebrate those milestones in the last couple years. I was looking forward to get to that thousand myself," Djokovic said. "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."

Playing under the lights, Djokovic broke Norwegian Ruud's serve twice to earn a commanding 4-0 lead as the top seed made a fast start. Ruud broke Djokovic at 5-3 down and held his serve but the 20-time major winner closed out the set.

In the second set, Ruud saved three break points in the seventh game before Djokovic broke for a 4-3 lead.

Djokovic broke Ruud again as he wrapped up victory in one hour 42 minutes and the Serb will seek a record-extending 38th ATP Masters 1000 title in Sunday's final.

Earlier, world No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the Rome final for the first time after rallying to defeat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev greet each other at the