RAFAEL NADAL SQUEEZES PAST QUALIFIER ZIZOU BERGS IN ROME OPENER

NEW DELHI: Rafael Nadal demonstrated his trademark resilience as he fought his way into the second round of the Rome Open on Thursday. Despite dropping the first set, Nadal staged a remarkable comeback to defeat qualifier Zizou Bergs with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The clay court maestro now sets his sights on a challenging encounter with world number nine Hubert Hurkacz in the next round, as he continues his journey back from injury.

Nadal's match against the Belgian qualifier was an intense affair lasting nearly three hours, showcasing his enduring competitive spirit.

In the same section of the draw lie formidable opponents such as last year's champion Daniil Medvedev and the runner-up, Holger Rune.

Nadal's recent performances have been overshadowed by injuries, causing him to temporarily slip in the rankings to 305th in the world. However, the 37-year-old has shown glimpses of his unparalleled skill and determination, notably with his record-breaking 10 titles in Rome, the most recent of which came in 2021.

Against Bergs, Nadal faced a tough challenge from the 24-year-old qualifier, who has previously troubled top players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and last year's Rome finalist, Holger Rune.

Despite Bergs' spirited performance and moments where victory seemed within his grasp, Nadal's tenacity ultimately secured him a hard-fought win, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest competitors in tennis history.

(With AFP inputs)