Top seed Rafael Nadal won his eighth Italian Open title when he beat German Alexander Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in the final. He recovered from an early break in the third set after a 50-minute rain delay.
Rafa and Sascha had each won two titles on clay this season entering the final, with Nadal lifting trophies in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and Zverev taking Munich and Madrid.
Rafa improved to 5-0 in his career against Sascha and gained an extra measure of confidence entering the French Open, which starts next Sunday.
The King of Clay won his 78th title – his 32nd Masters title and his 56th clay-court crown.
Today’s victory means that Rafa will reclaim the No.1 spot when the revised ATP rankings are released next week.
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well done idol Rafa…you’re one of the greatest players on earth 🎾💜🎾💜🎾💜🎾💜🎾💜🎾💜
Rafa CONGRATULATIONS on your great win yesterday.
All the best for Roland Garros,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Well done Rafa! Winning easy may have become boring for a while, so thanks for all the drama today:)
Zverev played excellent, but it seems that even divine intervention is on Rafa’s side. Good luck heading into RG champ!
😍🏆🍾😄👍🏻
Rafa’s mentality doesn’t allow him to see he lost a set emphatically or that he was losing at all. He sees an even score (one set all) and only one break down – this is nothing for Rafa. He always says momentum changes on a few points. He needed a little time to re-strategise – which he could have done with or without the rain delay just as he did mid match against Delpo at the US open – not surprised he came back to win at all.
Rafa cannot control the weather, but I thought the rain delay would help Rafa regroup. Sascha was playing really well, but he had been playing for three straight weeks. Rain delays happen, and I choose to believe that Rafa’s experience also helped him. I am also a fan of Sascha’s, but I have seen him struggle with nerves when trying to close out a set or a match. I am so happy that Rafa won and returns to number one. He claims not to care, but we saw what finger he was pointing after he won. Such happy days for us Rafans.
Wiiii!! – This is sooo awesome. Amazing win and comeback sweet champ. I knew you could do it. You sure are the ultimate fighter 👏🏻😃❤️🎉
A huge congratulations on your victory. Very happy for you 🤗🏆😍🥇
Now take rest and be ready for the French Open – The best of luck Rafa 🍀😘👑☀️
VAMOOS! 🎾💪🏼 – I admire you immensely 🤗
Many,many congratulations to the one and only Rafa.VAMOS.👍🏼🍀🇪🇸