Novak Djokovic wins Italian Open, 36th Masters 1000 title.

World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start on Monday to win his fifth Italian Open title, beating Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 7-5 6-3 for a historic 36th crown in the ATP Masters.

As Djokovic’s normally clinical backhand gave up some mistakes, playing in his maiden ATP 1000 final, eighth seed Schwartzman raced out of the blocks to convert two break point chances for a 3-0 lead.

Djokovic’s irritation was applied to an on-and-off drizzle at Foro Italico, which included a smattering of supporters, but he somehow found a way past Schwartzman’s serve to draw level at 3-3.

When he took Schwartzman in the 12th game to take the first set, despite making 18 unforced mistakes, Djokovic’s relentless baseline hitting came to the fore.

Early break in the second set was grabbed by Schwartzman, who outplaced defending champion Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals, however, Djokovic was swift to respond.

Before serving out the match comfortably to secure victory, the top seed turned up the pressure to crack Schwartzman’s serve twice — clinching it with a drop shot.

“It was a fantastic week, a very tough week,” said Djokovic, who had been playing his first event after defaulting in the U.S. Available, said on court, for unintentionally hitting a line judge with a ball. “When I needed it most, I found my best tennis.”

“I’m proud that when I needed it, I managed to find the fifth gear.”

The victory by Djokovic makes him clear on the Masters 1000 title list, one ahead of rival Nadal and gave him the opportunity ideally for an attack at the re-scheduled French Open next week.

“We are now going to Paris, and I couldn’t ask for a better tournament here in Rome,” said 33-year-old Djokovic, the Italian Open’s oldest male winner.

Djokovic has won 31 of his 32 games this season, going into Roland Garros, and will be one of the favorites alongside 12-time champions Nadal and the U.S. Champion Dominic Thiem at the Open.