Canada’s Milos Raonic drops three-set decision to Novak Djokovic at Italian Open

ROME – Canada’s Milos Raonic dropped a three-set decision to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in men’s semifinal play Saturday at the Italian Open.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., won the opening set before Djokovic fought back for a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory in three hours at the Foro Italico. Djokovic will play the winner of the late semifinal between seven-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final.

In men’s doubles play, Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic reached the final with a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 12-10 win over Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States.

In women’s play, Sara Errani became the first home player to reach the Italian Open final in nearly 30 years with a 6-3, 7-5 win over sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic.

Using the vocal crowd support to her advantage, the 10th-seeded Errani fought back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set, while Jankovic appeared rattled as she continuously questioned line calls.

“There were a few moments when I thought I might not pull it off but the fans were huge,” said Errani, who is attempting to become the first Italian to win the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto.

The last Italian man to win was Adriano Panatta back in 1976.

Errani’s opponent in Sunday’s final will be either defending champion Serena Williams or 11th-seeded Ana Ivanovic, who were playing later.

It’s already Errani’s best result since reaching the 2012 French Open final, and gives her momentum heading back to Roland Garros next week.

Jankovic, the 2007 and 2008 Rome champion, repeatedly asked the chair umpire to come down and check marks but none of them were overturned, resulting only in the crowd stepping up its encouragement for Errani.

“Just do it, Sara. Just do it, Sara,” the fans cheered late in the second set.

The highly partisan crowd frequently applauded Errani while points were still being played and cheered even when Jankovic double faulted.

“(The crowd) was all on her side but it’s normal, she’s the local player,” Jankovic said. “I tried to stay focused on my game, and play my tennis but she was the better player today.”

Errani was playing in the doubles semifinals later and her partner Roberta Vinci sat in her box to provide emotional support. Her parents and brother were on hand, too.

“Having them here is key,” Errani said. “They give me that extra motivation so I’m not just playing for myself but for them, too, and that makes me even stronger.”

Known for her consistency, Errani committed just 11 unforced errors to Jankovic’s 28.

Jankovic attempted to attack Errani’s abbreviated serving style but she had more trouble on her own serve, and faced 16 break points — five of which Errani converted.

“She’s not going to give you free points,” Jankovic said. “She keeps making you hit and hit and I needed to come more to the net and finish those points. When I was doing that I was winning but when I stopped she took advantage.”

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With files from The Canadian Press.