Nadal comes back from a set down to advance into second round in Rome

Rafael Nadal returns to Rome to record his 70th win on Italian soil after a comeback win against Zizou Bergs at the Italian open on Thursday.

The Spaniard had lost just one of his previous 18 opening-round matches in Rome but looked in danger of adding to that tally after a disappointing first set against Bergs. However, the 37-year-old is a record 10-time champion in the Italian capital and showed why in the second and third sets, upping his consistency, weight of shot and intensity to triumph after two hours and 54 minutes.

“It was not my best match. I was practising better than how I played today without a doubt but I found a way to win,” Nadal said. “That is so important at the beginning of the tournament. My game is more unpredictable than before. I didn’t play much tennis for the past two years, so it is up and down. I think I can do much better than I did today and hope I can do it in the next round.”

The 10-time champion in italy defeated his opponent 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the 2nd round against Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday.

Bergs came through qualifying in Rome and was seeking his first ATP Masters 1000 match win. The 24-year-old has enjoyed success on clay on the ATP Challenger Tour this year, winning a trophy on the surface in the United States.

The Belgian, No. 96 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, battled hard against the 92-time tour-level titlist and impressed for large periods, striking a big ball off both wings to trouble Nadal, who was pumped throughout the clash.