You can’t keep a good man down and it’s a case of danger everted for Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open.
The Spanish legend had lost Jan Lehecka last week at the Madrid Open and he’d have been keen to bounce back here.
Things didn’t start well for Nadal as he lost the first set 6-4 but he bounced back with aplomb.
Nadal squeezed through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a clash with Poland star Hubert Hurkacz in the round of 64.
After the match, his opponent, Zizou Bergs, was heard saying something heartfelt to the 14-time French Open winner.
What Zizou Bergs said to Rafael Nadal after losing to him
This is being classed as a bit of a farewell tour for Nadal this year and it does feel like the end might be close.
Nadal wasn’t at his best against Bergs, although he did manage to come through in convincing style in the end.
After the match, Nadal met Bergs at the net and it was captured on Sky Sports Tennis what the Spaniard was told by his opponent.
The Belgian player said: “It was an incredible honour. I’m so happy for you.”
Nadal magic moments will be few and far between this year
It would be a wonderful fairytale for Nadal to have a good run at one of the majors this year but we just can’t see it.
Some of the points he played against Bergs were poetry in motion but others just looked like hard work for the player.
Injuries have taken over Nadal’s body in recent years and now whenever he plays there are always worries another one will come.
Nadal has nothing to prove to anyone and right now, he is likely playing on just to try and have one last foray into the latter stages of a major.
At 37-years-old that will be tricky and it will now be full focus on Hurkacz next time out.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
