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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Spain's Rafael Nadal came back from one set down to beat Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome on Thursday.
Nadal broke first to lead 3-1, and was overtaken by Bergs who led 5-4 and held serve to take the first set. Nadal led again in the second set, and managed this time to save two break points. The 10-time winner in Rome put himself ahead again in the decider, and made sure the 24-year-old was unable to convert any of the four break points he earned to take the match in almost three hours.
Rafael Nadal gestures to spectators after winning the Italian Open first round in Rome, Italy, May 9, 2024. /CFP
"That was not my best match, I was practicing better than I played today, but I found a way to win," said Nadal, who showed few physical problems after being out of action because of a hip injury last year and muscle tear earlier this year.
"My game is more unpredictable than before, I didn't play much tennis for the last two years so have had some ups and downs, on and off, but I think I can do much better than today and I hope to do it next round," he added, as he lifted his win-loss record at Masters 1000 level to a leading 410-89.
Nadal, with a 7-3 run this season so far, will next play Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in their first meeting, as he builds up to the French Open in late May, where he has won a record 14 titles.