Third-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Swiss star Stanislas Wawrinka to win the $3.5 million Italian Masters on Sunday.
Djokovic, who disposed of world No. 1 Roger Federer in the quarterfinals before advancing to the finals when Czech Radek Stepanek retired in the semis, dropped the first set before storming back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The unseeded Wawrinka drew first blood, breaking in the fifth game of the first set to lead 3-2. The Swiss then had chances for a double break, but despite being unable to convert, he closed out the set.
Djokovic regrouped and in the sixth game of the second set he got a key break and went on to level the match with some effective serve and volley play.
The Serbian was able to carry his momentum into the third set and broke in the opening game to set the tone. Wawrinka was able to save one match point at 3-5 but Djokovic earned a second as Wawrinka's forehand went wide the Swiss was unable to recover again.
"I was starting very well," Wawrinka said. "The first set I was playing very well. I was always before him; I was pushing him. But I think it change his game and he was coming more in at the net. In the second and the third set he was serving very well."
Djokovic, who earned $558,000, took home his 10th career title, and his third of the year.
"I tried to stay focused all the time, because the role of the favorite in these kind of big matches is not easy to cope with," Djokovic said. "I didn't think that I'm going to play in the finals against a player who's unseeded, but obviously he deserved to be there. He showed his quality."
Wawrinka, who also advanced to the final when his semifinal opponent, American Andy Roddick, retired, was playing in his sixth career final and was the first unseeded finalist here since Felix Mantilla, who defeated Roger Federer in 2003.
The 20-year-old Djokovic improved to 4-2 all-time versus Wawrinka, who was attempting to capture his second ATP crown.
