ROME – Novak Djokovic executed another dominant performance to beat Roger Federer in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday and win his fourth Italian Open crown. With this victory the world number one has firmly installed himself as the favourite for the second major of the year at Roland Garros, which kicks off in Paris, in a week’s time.

 Both finalists had enjoyed impressive runs to Sunday’s finale, with Federer brushing aside countryman and conqueror of Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals and Djokovic beating David Ferrer at the same stage. As a result, confidence was high for both men heading into the final and this showed as the match continued on serve until Djokovic secured a crucial break in the tenth game of the first set which enabled him to win it 6-4.

 After the Serb broke again at the start of the second set, Federer always looked up against it and Djokovic sealed his 22^nd consecutive win when the Swiss sent a forehand wide. Having already won the year’s opening slam at the Australian Open and the prestigious Monte-Carlo Masters title, Djokovic described 2015 so far as the best season of his life.

 "This has been a very exciting week and today was my best match,” said the Serb to reporters. “It's always a big challenge to play Roger and obviously I'm very pleased. I don't know how it will go at Roland Garros, but I'm very confident.”

 In the women’s side of the draw, fan favourite Maria Sharapova continued her excellent recent form, fighting back from a set down against Carla Suarez Navarro to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to claim her third title in Rome. The Russian, who was seeded third for the event, started slowly against Navarro who had knocked out Eugenie Bouchard earlier in the tournament, but grew into the match in the second and third sets.