World number one Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Roger Federer in the Italian Open final.
The Serbian took a few weeks off after his Monte Carlo triumph but there were no signs of rustiness in Rome, where he eased to a 22nd successive win on Sunday.
The first set went with serve until Djokovic broke Federer in the 10th game, with another break early in the second enough to see off the challenge of the Swiss maestro, who has yet to claim the title at the Foro Italico venue.
Djokovic has now won the Italian Open on four occasions and is the favourite for the upcoming French Open, the only major he has yet to win.
In the women's tournament, Maria Sharapova claimed her third Rome title after coming from behind to beat Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6 7-5 6-1.
"It wasn't easy to find a rhythm out there, with the way she plays, and the wind - I really had to adjust," Sharapova told wtatennis.com.
"But I'm proud I was able to stay in there. I never felt I was playing very clean until the end of the third set.
So it shows that it's good to hang in there and stay positive.
"In the end I was the fresher one, and the more aggressive one, so it's all a positive. And looking at how I started the clay-court season in Stuttgart and where I am now, I feel I'm in a much better spot."
