Advertisement
X

Italian Open: Rafael Nadal Crosses Opening Hurdle, Enters Round 2 - In Pics

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.

| Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory | Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Rafael Nadal with Zizou Bergs
Rafael Nadal with Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, shakes hands with Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Zizou Bergs
Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Belgium's Zizou Bergs returns the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Nadal serves the ball to Zizou Bergs
Nadal serves the ball to Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini

Spain's Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Belgium's Zizou Bergs
Belgium's Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Belgium's Zizou Bergs serves the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Italian Open tennis tournament
Italian Open tennis tournament | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

Show comments
US