via Imago
Spain’s Rafael Nadal
via Imago
Spain’s Rafael Nadal
He’s proven why he’s called the king of clay. Being 3-1 down in the third set against Alexander Zverev in the finals of the Italian Open, Rafael Nadal clinched the title winning the match 6-1,1-6,6-3. This is his 8th title in Rome and third for the clay court season so far, with Rolland Garros the next target.
He held on to the first set comfortably losing just a single game. The reverse happened in the second set when Nadal’s game started slipping. Zverev, winning the Madrid Masters last week, ensured he kept Nadal on his toes and managed to take the second set 6-1. He went on to break the first game of the third set to ensure Nadal was on the backfoot from the very beginning.
At 3-1 down, it started raining, which gave Rafael Nadal the break he wanted. The game resumed and he went on to break Zverev twice to take the match and the championship.
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Last year, Italian Open was the only title Rafael Nadal couldn’t win in the clay court season, having lost to Dominic Thiem. With this victory, he not only win the championship, but comes back as the world number 1 ahead of Roger Federer.
Speaking of the French Open, the qualifiers are still underway but the Gland Slam is just a week away. Once again, Nadal will be the favourite for the title, but never say never in tennis. Dominic Thiem will be a major threat for the Spaniard, being the only person to beat him in clay both in 2017 and 2018. Zverev could be another potential threat considering his Madrid Masters win and the brilliant run at the Italian Open. Another potential threat could be Novak Djokovic, who showcased glimpse of regained strength and confidence, especially in the semifinal match against Rafael Nadal.
Coming back to the Italian Open in Rome, here is how social media reacted to the final.
Rafa #Nadal & his 8th Rome Trophy (reuters) pic.twitter.com/8cbKRhSs9j
— Rafaholics™ (@Rafaholics) May 20, 2018
So that’s 11 Monte Carlos, 11 Barcelona’s and 8 Italian Opens for #Nadal
— Derek Wiseman (@delmar08) May 20, 2018
I don’t disagree with you on the technical part but mentally #Nadal is so much stronger allowing #Nadal to come out fighting from the start. Mentally #Zverev isn’t there yet.
— Leslie DeGonia (@LeslieDeGonia) May 20, 2018
2017 –
Monte Carlo – Nadal
Madrid – Nadal
Rome – Zverev2018 –
Monte Carlo – Nadal
Madrid – Zverev
Rome – NadalThese two continue to dominate the clay Masters this year 🔥 #Zverev #Nadal
— Rashmi ☀️ (@drivevolleys) May 20, 2018
Make a way for the king of clay!!! He has french open to slay !! #nadal #Rafa #kingofclay #NO1 #Italianopen #frenchopen https://t.co/OJqbIzFRvt
— Ashlesh (@Ashlesh8) May 20, 2018
Just I LOVE YOU, king of our hearts! I am in tears of happiness, of joy, of love… 😘😘😘👏👏👏👏👏❤#VamosRafa #IBI18 #Nadal @RafaelNadal enhorabuena!
— Lenka Rafanynka (@LenkaKlementov) May 20, 2018
#Nadal still unstoppable at clay. #IBI18
— Rajeshwaran P (@Dumangole) May 20, 2018
Well #Zverev really proved tonight what he's capable of, leaving us only exptecting even better things for him in the future. Great match from Monday's #1, #Nadal, displaying a true champion's spirit 👏🏽 #ibi18
— Hermine B' (@MimineHB) May 20, 2018
#Nadal you may win French open.but that old warrior & magician FedEx will come back & win both Wimbledon & us open.
— kailash ku padhi (@kailashpadhi23) May 20, 2018
Rain in Rome killed Zverev's momentum so it's the winner @InteBNLdItalia and not #Nadal
"Life is unfair.Get used to it"-Bill Gates @FanZverev pic.twitter.com/X79cqGbmK2— Jimmy (@jimmy19742) May 20, 2018
Most single #AtpMasters1000 Tournament won by a player #Nadal-Montecarlo 11
Nadal-#Rome 8#Federer-Cincinnati 7#Agassi-Miami 6#Djokovic-Miami 6#RomeMasters #IBI18— Luca Brancher (@LucaBeck) May 20, 2018
I would like to thank thee Almighty God for pouring rain when Rafa was losing so officials could suspend the match. #Nadal gathered himself and came back to win against Zverev. #VAMOS 🙌🏾💪 pic.twitter.com/GlbeuFKtaw
— Busi Lethole (@BusiLethole) May 20, 2018
Congratulations Rafa. 🎉🎉❤
Soo, Soo happy for ya. @RafaelNadal
"The king of clay for a reason"#VamosRafa #rafa #Nadal #ATP #ATPRoma #IBI18 #tennis #ATPMasters1000 #thekingofclay https://t.co/SAhWtNKHli— Shifa R (@Shifar05) May 20, 2018
In the 2013 French Open SF, Djokovic was running with the match but the #RAIN came at the most inappropriate time to rob his quest against #Nadal.
Something similar happening today.
— Mikhail (@FedexMahindra18) May 20, 2018
EIGHT KING OF ROME 👑🎾#IBI18 #Nadal @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/yziwVg3P5S
— Tommy Milanello (@toMMilanello) May 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/angrlmn/status/998279940742270978
What a comeback!! 32nd Master for #Nadal and tomorrow will reclaim the World No.1 from Roger BRAVO #ibi18 pic.twitter.com/uCAceoL3g0
— 𝐇 (@BulushiHaitham) May 20, 2018
Rafael Nadal is back in top form again!!
Winning the Rome Masters now and moving away well towards the French Open 2018!!
Common King of Clay time for another Roland Garros! #Nadal #RomeMasters— Samay Turakhia (@samay_srt) May 20, 2018
Before the 2. rainbreak #Zverev was break up . Then #nadal bounces back, wins 4 games in a row to win #IBI18 title 6:1, 1:6 and 6:3. Massive Comeback!
But: another outstanding tournament, a great fight from 🇩🇪 no1 who has another major experience in his mindset for a big future— Jannik Schneider (@schnejan) May 20, 2018
Zverev's level still good enough to take #Nadal out but the king rips the belief out of you, that's what he does! #ItalianOpen @CoffeeBreakTens @TennisTalkDaily
— Harris_RF21+ (@Martian2025) May 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/besso_57/status/998257553065824256
#Zverez is a bigger threat to #Nadal's clay court dominance than #Thiem even if the latter recently defeated him. His dynamic plays at #ItalianOpen have forced Nadal to play better and claim the title.
— Kata (@dkikata) May 20, 2018
The king is back to rule again👑 Back to world no.1😎What a player!!! Vamos 💪#Nadal #ItalianOpen #ibi18 pic.twitter.com/7dBKdMNqlY
— .♥️ (@Beeblebrroxx) May 20, 2018
My king of clay!!!!!!👑👑👑
My world No. 1!!!!💯✔️
My G.O.A.T!!!✅❗
Congratul8ions!!!!!!! #champion #vamosRafa #Nadal #RomeMasters@RafaelNadal
— Reena (@lilma_mi) May 20, 2018
Okay Rafa please don't do this again. Wth happened after set one I was rather looking forward to a bagel or a super easy second set. #ibi18 #Nadal
— Aakash (@Aakash_utd) May 20, 2018
Come on Rafa! You can do this!#VamosRafa #ItalianOpen #Nadal
— Yoyo (@yoyoyoyo65837) May 20, 2018
#Zverev, who has been serving bombs the past two weeks didn't hold serve even once. #Nadal up 6-1 in just 33 minutes.#WorldsGoneMad
— Mikhail (@FedexMahindra18) May 20, 2018
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King of clay🏆 #Nadal pic.twitter.com/F4t8T7tFLS
— Noura. (@NouraAljabr8) May 20, 2018
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As expected the rain delay killed Zverev's momentum. Adrenaline level low. Must feel the tiredness. #Zverev #Nadal #RomeMasters
— loreley (@loreley4tennis) May 20, 2018
