Rafael Nadal v Zizou Bergs LIVE: Tennis result and latest updates as Spaniard battles through at Italian Open
Nadal ramps up his French Open preparations and continues his injury recovery in Rome
Rafael Nadal battled past Belgian underdog Zizou Bergs to reach the second round of the Italian Open.
The Spaniard continued his preparation for the French Open later this month with a hard-fought victory in Rome, taking the decider to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory having fallen behind to an impressive Bergs. While clunky to start, Nadal warmed to his work and showed real stamina to outlast the 24-year-old, setting up a meeting with Hubert Hurkacz.
The 14-time Roland Garros champion has said he expects to retire after this season after he spent most of last year nursing a hip issue that required surgery but a muscle tear in Brisbane stalled his comeback in January.
The 37-year-old returned to the tour last month as the clay swing begun and he got valuable match practice in Barcelona and Madrid, with the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome this week a third straight tournament in which to test himself.
The 22-time grand slam winner will now hope to get more sets in his legs ahead of a potential farewell to the French Open, which begins in Paris on 26 May.
Follow all the action from the Italian Open in our blog below:
Rafael Nadal 4-3 Zizou Bergs*
A big fist pump from Rafael Nadal as he survives a long, gruelling rally, surging forward but not required to put the point away as Zizou Bergs sends a torpedo up into the galleries.
Rafael Nadal* 3-3 Zizou Bergs
Another ill-advised hurry to the net from Zizou Bergs, who is keen to use serve-and-volley as a regular tactic but not quite forcing Nadal on the back foot enough. But otherwise, this is pretty good stuff from the Belgian, showing an ability to slug it out and sealing a hold with a thumping serve that hits a returning Nadal’s racquet and simply drops down at his feet.
Rafael Nadal 3-2 Zizou Bergs*
A chance for Bergs to break back - a couple of meek forehands into the net from Nadal, which come as a surprise after a hard-hitting start to the encounter.
A second serve to attack, too. But no dice, break point saved as the Belgian nets a low forehand scrambling to his right.
Here’s another chance, though, Nadal tame on the backhand this time. And what a way to seize it, a crunching return that the great Spaniard can’t even throw a racket at!
Rafael Nadal* 3-1 Zizou Bergs
Vintage Nadal! A laser beam of a forehand having trapped Zizou Bergs on his backhand side with a series of sledgehammers.
That’s handy, too, Bergs attempting to serve and volley but yorked by a fine return. Three break points...and the second of them is taken!
Rafael Nadal 2-1 Zizou Bergs*
A gorgeous backhand down-the-line drops a foot inside the baseline for Bergs, showing off his shot-making in these early proceedings and not seeming at all overawed to be facing the king of clay. A bunny hop of a bounce just before he strikes sends an attempted repeat of the shot long soon after, though, and a flapped forehand into the net gives Rafael Nadal a second game on serve.
Rafael Nadal* 1-1 Zizou Bergs
That’s a pleasant beginning on serve from Zizou Bergs, though, a booming serve and crisp forehand winner settling him into his work. He has got a good serving game, an upright, powerful strike, though a double fault at 30-0 frustrates the Belgian.
No matter - back in business with an ace. A missed volley but Bergs closes it out.
Rafael Nadal 1-0 Zizou Bergs*
A simple enough start for Rafael Nadal, holding to 15 with a big serve up the centre forcing an error to seal it.
Rafael Nadal* 0-0 Zizou Bergs
A whipped forehand drags Bergs wide, and the Belgian can’t keep his hooked backhand in play. First point to Nadal.
Rafael Nadal* 0-0 Zizou Bergs
Right, here we go. Rafael Nadal will serve first.
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