Rafael Nadal may have been somewhat unconvincing in his Rome Masters opener earlier today, but still ran out the comfortable victor against Zizou Bergs.
Despite snagging the inaugural break in the first set, the 37-year-old let his slender lead slip to allow the Belgian to take an early lead, 6-4.
The Rome crowd was stunned as the legendary figure was staring down the barrel of a first-round exit, which would have been just the second of his career on a clay court.
But he quickly recaptured his level in the second, and then it never really looked in doubt as he cruised to victory, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6.
And for all the moments of outstanding quality we witnessed yet again from Nadal, one particular point mid-match truly had the crowd on their feet.
Rafael Nadal gets the crowd going in Rome
It was early in the first set, and having claimed the opening game it was imperative that Nadal win the point in question at 15 all to put pressure on the broken Bergs.
However, that looked hugely in doubt when, picking up a deep shot on the half volley, he took a tumble. Slipping on the clay that has been so kind to him over the years, the following backhand allowed the Spaniard time to jump up and deliver a forehand slice back into play.
He was alive in the point.
Going on to trade blows with one another, the point would eventually be won by Nadal in typically masterful fashion, feathering a left-handed drop shot justover the net. Bergs didn’t even bother going for it, prompting a brief show of emotion from the 14-time Roland Garros champion.
This led the co-commentator on Sky Sports, Miles Maclagan, to exclaim: ‘Little combat roll from the warrior. It can’t be understated how a moment like that can get the crowd fired up. The crowd loved it. Loved it.’
Rafael Nadal made hard work of Zizou Bergs
Although he did claim the win in the end, Nadal certainly made hard work of it, with his first set particularly uncharacteristic.
Pumping out a host of unforced errors whilst only managing three winners, he lacked aggression and conviction as Bergs stunned the many onlookers.
This was not what they had come to see.
Nadal would, as he often does, give them their money’s worth in the end, recapturing his form with a wide array of exceptional shots.
He will have to bring out much more if he is to trouble Hubert Hurkacz in the next round though, but it marks a solid first showing to get further fitness under his belt ahead of a French Open where he is already hoping to face two opponents.
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