Rafael Nadal continued his French Open preparation by combating again from a set right down to beat Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs within the opening spherical of the Italian Open in Rome.
The previous world primary, a 10-time champion within the Italian capital, gained 4-6 6-3 6-4.
Nadal, 37, has indicated he plans to retire after the 2024 season.
Though not at his finest, the Spaniard stated he “discovered a technique to win” on his favoured clay floor as he builds up to what’s anticipated to be his last look on the French Open later this month.
“My sport is extra unpredictable than earlier than, I have never performed a lot tennis for 2 years however I believe I can do higher than that,” Nadal added.
Having made his return from a three-month harm absence on the Barcelona Open in April, Nadal reached the final 16 of the Madrid Open final week earlier than falling to Czech participant Jiri Lehecka.
In Italy, Nadal received off to a troublesome begin on the floor he has so lengthy favoured.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion broke for 3-1 within the opening set however Bergs, ranked 108 on this planet, instantly cancelled out the benefit earlier than a double fault gifted the 24-year-old the break and he served out the set.
However, after a medical emergency within the crowd halted play one sport into the second set, Nadal appeared far more snug.
He shortly raced to a 3-0 lead and this time saved his composure, unleashing a forehand winner and fist pumping in direction of the group as he levelled the match.
Nadal as soon as once more broke early within the third set earlier than overturning a 40-0 deficit and saving three break factors to maneuver 4-2 forward.
A robust forehand winner finally secured the win and booked Nadal’s place within the second spherical, the place he’ll face Polish world quantity 9 Hubert Hurkacz.
“I’ve Roland Garros in simply two weeks and a half,” stated Nadal. “I have to show myself if I’m able to push my physique to the restrict, I have to push to really feel myself prepared for what’s coming.
“I’m not speaking solely about Roland Garros. I’m speaking concerning the subsequent match. I have to lose this worry. Matches like at the moment assist.
“Some moments I used to be shifting quicker. Some moments not. I have to get used to that, to take that threat. I really feel extra able to attempt it than earlier than.”
Britain’s Jack Draper additionally made it by way of to the second spherical with a 7-5 6-1 win towards Croatia’s Borna Coric.
Draper served eight aces and didn’t face any break factors as he additionally hit 22 winners within the win to arrange a second spherical match towards defending champion Daniil Medvedev.
Fellow Briton Dan Evans was knocked out of the event, with Italian Fabio Fognini beating him 6-4 3-6 6-2.
Evans battled to stage the match at one set apiece, earlier than dropping the decider in a contest lasting two hours 32 minutes.
