Novak Djokovic continues his path as defending champion at the Internazionali Bnl d’Italia. To pay the price, in the match valid for the round of 32, is Grigor Dimitrov, who despite playing an excellent match, taking him to the third set, surrenders to the Serbian for the twelfth time in his career, in the previous thirteen.

The champion hadn’t won two matches in a row since the Dubai tournament, where he only stopped in the final, losing to the Russian Daniil Medvedev. It is a convalescent Nole, what his fans are witnessing in these early stages of the tournament in Rome.

The number one, evidently not yet at his best physical condition, is still unable to express himself to his full potential. His season balance on clay so far is 4 wins and two defeats. His primary goal, as we know, is to arrive at the Roland Garros appointment in good shape, to contend with Rafael Nadal, if he manages to overcome his physical problems, and participate, for the scepter of career slam record holder.