Novak Djokovic speaks excellent Italian and even better tennis, but it was in his post-match rage against the dangerous condition of the cratered Campo Centrale where he was at his most eloquent here on Saturday.
Having just beaten David Ferrer in the semi-final of the Internazionali BNL D’Italia for the loss of just eight games, the world No1 put himself in reach of his fourth Roman title and looked very much at home in surroundings redolent of the ancient city’s imperial past.
However, he will hope his footwork is nimble enough in Sunday’s final to avoid twisting or breaking an ankle just a week before the start of the French Open, where he has possibly his best chance of winning the title, given the enduring torpor of Rafael Nadal, who was bundled out here on Friday night.