Rafael Nadal discovers who he will face at the Italian Open
Rafael Nadal speaks
Rafael Nadal has discovered who he will face in round one of the Italian Open as he gears up for what looks likely to be his final appearance at the Foro Italico.
A 10-time champion at the prestigious Masters 1000 event, Nadal was left waiting on who his opening opponent would be after drawing a qualifier.
But, with qualifying action in the men’s singles concluding today, the successful qualifiers have been placed and the Spaniard has been handed an opening test against world No 108 Zizou Bergs.
Belgian ace Bergs was a relative latecomer to the ATP Tour, but the 24-year-old has been in career-best form in recent months.
The 24-year-old reached a career-high of 103rd in the ATP Rankings in late April – sitting just five spots off that currently – and has won eight Challenger titles throughout his career, including a successful title defence in Tallahassee this spring.
Bergs’ strong form was rewarded with a Wildcard into the main draw of the Mutua Madrid Open last fortnight, where he lost to Luca Van Assche in round one.
But he bounced back from that disappointment with a strong run in Rome qualifying.
Seeded 11th in the qualifying draw, the Belgian defeated Patrick Kypson from a set down in the opening round, before fending off 18th seed and hot prospect Jerry Shang 6-4, 7-6(5) in the second and final round.
Other notable qualifiers from the draw include former Rome finalist Diego Schwartzman – who will be playing the tournament for the last time after announcing his impending retirement.
While Bergs is in form this year, he is a test that Nadal should be able to pass, especially after demonstrating some encouraging tennis at the Madrid Open – where he beat world No 11 Alex de Minaur on his way to the fourth round.
But, if he does beat Bergs, he would then face a tough test against seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, who has already won a clay title this year in Estoril and will test Nadal’s returning capacity.
All eyes will be on how the ‘King of Clay’ performs in Rome, with Nadal yet to officially commit to playing at Roland Garros.
Speaking after his Madrid exit, he said: “At the tennis level, I also leave happier than I arrived, although if I don’t have the confidence that my body can handle tennis, it’s impossible for this to work.
“If my body can handle it well, no. I know what can happen, and although it is difficult to imagine great things today, I stand by what I said the other day: in sports things change quickly and I am doing things in the most prudent way I can, no. I know how to do it better.
“About Paris… after Rome I will say. I understand your urgency and I would also like to have a clear vision of what is going to happen, but since I don’t have it today, I can’t tell you more.
“I hope to be able to play in Rome, if there are no setbacks, and I’m going there with the hope of continuing to evolve.”