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.

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Italian Open 2024 Rafael Nadal_Photo_1
Italian Open 2024: Rafael Nadal vs Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

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

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Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory | Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini
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Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Rafael Nadal with Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, shakes hands with Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Belgium's Zizou Bergs returns the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Nadal serves the ball to Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Andrew Medichini
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Spain's Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Rafael Nadal | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Belgium's Zizou Bergs | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Belgium's Zizou Bergs serves the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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Italian Open tennis tournament | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, serves the ball to Belgium's Zizou Bergs at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome.

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