sport news Novak Djokovic celebrates 1,000th career win trends now
World No 1 Novak Djokovic recorded his 1,000th career victory as he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets to book his 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 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.
Novak Djokovic was presented with a cake donning the number 1,000 after his landmark win
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, 6-3 to Sunday's final, where he will play Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Djokovic said: 'Thanks to the tournament and the crowd for celebrating the milestone with me. Obviously I've seen Roger and Rafa celebrate those milestones in the last couple 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.'
The Serb celebrated in traditionally wild fashion after he came through the two-set encounter
Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud embrace after the Serb advanced to Sunday's final
Earlier, world No 5 Tsitsipas had come from behind to beat third-seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
German Zverev converted the only break point of the opening set to establish an early lead, before Tsitsipas fought back to force
