Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal bounced back from a sluggish start to prevail over Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in his first-round match at the Italian Open. Nadal lost five of the last six games, but turned things around remarkably, winning after a two hours, 47 minutes-long battle on Thursday (May 9). The 10-time Italian Open champion will next face seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in the round of 64 on Saturday.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, shakes hands with Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Belgium's Zizou Bergs returns the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spain's Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Belgium's Zizou Bergs serves the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.
Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.