Italian Open 2018, Men's Singles, Final: Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, Live match updates

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Nadal came back recharged and having figured out what was ailing him in the second set and the beginning of the third set. As for Sascha, he played at an unbelievable level for more than a set but couldn't hold on to it when Rafa raised his.

Having said that, if Sascha can play at this level in Paris, he will be one of the contenders for sure. This year, he just might improve on his poor record at Slams.

As for Rafa, he looks all set to bite the Coupe des Mousquetaires for a record 11th time!

Final score: Nadal def Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in 2 hours 10 minutes

Nadal heads to the French Open with titles at Monte Carlo, Rome and Barcelona.

Sascha thus finally loses a match after an amazing trophy-winning run at Munich and the Madrid Masters.

AND WITH THAT, RAFA IS BACK TO THE WORLD NO. 1 SPOT JUST A WEEK AFTER RELINQUISHING IT TO ROGER FEDERER!

RAFA WINS AFTER ZVEREV CAN'T RETURN A BACKHAND VOLLEY!

HE IS THE EMPEROR OF ROME FOR AN EIGHTH TIME!!!!

One match point saved!

Brutal forehand winner and Rafa has 2 MATCH POINTS!!!!

Sascha mishits and it is 30-15 to the Spaniard!

First point to Nadal as Sascha sends the ball long

Rafa is serving for the title now!

Zverev sends a lob long after a brutal exchange!

BREAK TO RAFA!

HE LEADS 5-3

Rafa is striking venom with his forehands now!

He has a break point!

It's 30-30 on the Zverev serve

And he is peppering the court with errors now. The forehands, which were licking the line just a set ago, are now missing the court.

Sascha looks to have slowed down and lost some of his steam after conceding that break.

15-15 on his serve

Rafa holds to 15, looks pumped up now!

Order restored?

Rafa 4-3

It's 15-15 on the Nadal serve!

Zverev mishits and his break advantage is gone!

RAFA BREAKS BACK!

3-3

BREAK POINT FOR NADAL!

WHAT A PLAY BY RAFA!

PUSHED SASCHA OUT OF THE COURT WITH A CROSSCOURT FOREHAND AND THEN FINISHED THE POINT WITH A CROSSCOURT BACKHAND!

DEUCE!

And it is 30-30

Rafa seems to be more pro-active.

He is 30-15 on the Zverev serve

Nadal takes the first point.

Zverev to serve at 3-2

Welcome back!

The players are back on court and the warm-up has been completed!

The court is being covered now.
We'll be back as soon as play resumes.

Stay tuned for the latest updates!

Play is suspended again. Players depart from the court.

And it is raining again!

AND RAFA HOLDS!

2-3

Rafa 40-15 on serve

Play has resumed!

The players are back but Nadal is complaining that the court is still not safe!

Nadal was 15-0 on his serve at 1-3

Play suspended for the moment. It is raining heavily.

Zverev makes no mistake! Holds to 15

3-1 to the defending champion

WHAT A BACKHAND PASS BY RAFA!

HE IS 15-30 ON THE ZVEREV SERVE!

And Nadal holds to love!

1-2

Can he break back?

Finally, some depth on the Nadal shots!

40-0 on serve

Zverev is simply producing winners like it is child's play!

Nadal has no answer!

It's 2-0 to Zverev

15-15 on the Sascha serve!

It is raining in Rome now!

And Rafa concedes the vital break!

Zverev 1-0

WHAT A FOREHAND PASS BY ZVEREV!

BREAK POINT FOR THE THIRD TIME!

Zverev fails to retrieve a shot!

Deuce

Again the forehand goes out!

Zverev is playing with a lot of firepower!

Break point to Zverev!

Lets out a roar as well!

Can he find his spark?

Rafa rushes to the net and saves the break point!

Deuce

The forehand goes out and it is break point to Zverev!

It's 30-30 now as Nadal looks to be struggling to find his usual accuracy

It's 15-15 on the Nadal serve in the first game of the 3rd set!

Italian Open 2018, Men's Singles, Final: Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, Live match updates

Nadal def Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in 2 hours 10 minutes to win the title for an eighth time