ROME — Defending champion Novak Djokovic rallied after a rain delay to beat Roger Federer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 today and reach the Rome Masters final.

The loss extends Federer's title drought to seven months.

It's the second consecutive Masters Series final on clay for Djokovic. The Serb lost to Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo two weeks ago.

Nadal faced 12th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez in the other semifinal later Saturday.

Federer has not won a tournament since taking the title in October at home in Basel, Switzerland.

Rome is a key warmup for the French Open — the only Grand Slam title missing from Federer's collection of 13 majors. The French Open begins on May 24.