Rafael Nadal reveals Italian Open ‘suffering’ after Verdasco win, eyes Tsitsipas revenge | Tennis | Sport

“It had been a very tough first set,” Nadal told the ATP.

“Fernando was playing amazing. He started the match playing so well. 4-4, 0-40, [was] a very key situation I think.

“[After] winning that game, I knew I would have a big chance to break and [win] the set [and] returning with the wind helped.

“[I’m] very happy about the victory, I played well, I suffered when I had to suffer and in the second set when the match was a little bit more in my favour, I was able to play a little bit more aggressive

“It is true Fernando was probably a little bit tired from yesterday but in general terms I am very happy with the way I played.”

When asked if last week’s defeat to Tsitsipas would play on his mind, Nadal replied: “No. I lost last week to a good player like Stefanos

“Tomorrow is another chance to play against a great player and to play a good match.

“I hope to be ready for it, it will be a tough one but I think I’m playing well, so let’s see.”

Nadal has moved to third in the ATP all-time clay-court win list with 427.

Guillermo Vilas tops the list with an astonishing 679 wins.

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