By Le Figaro with AFP
Published 18 minutes ago, Updated now
Rafael Nadal. Guglielmo Mangiapane / REUTERS
The Spaniard beat the Belgian Zizou Berges in three sets this Thursday during the 2nd round of the Masters 1000 in Rome.
The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, 305th in the world after an almost blank 2023 season, needed three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to beat the Belgian Zizou Bergs and qualify for the 2nd round of the Masters 1000 in Rome , THURSDAY.
Nadal, struggling on his serve, battled for two hours and 53 minutes against the 108th in the world, from qualifying.
The Spaniard, burdened by injuries over the past two seasons, returned for the first time since 2022 in Rome, a tournament he has won ten times, a record.
“I haven’t played much in the last three years, everything is more difficult and unpredictable for me now, but I am convinced that I can play much better than that,” said the former world No.1 after his match.
“I am happy with this victory and to be able to play one more match,” continued “Rafa” who will turn 38 in June.
He will be opposed in the next round to the Pole Hubert Hurkacz, world No.9.
Returning to the circuit in Barcelona last month, after a forced three-month break, Nadal was eliminated in the second round of the Catalan tournament and in the round of 16 of the Masters 1000 in Madrid.
He is a priori playing his last season on the circuit with the objective of shining one last time at Roland-Garros (May 26-June 9), a tournament which he has won fourteen times.
