Rafael Nadal beats Alexander Zverev to win Italian Open – as it happened

Rafa flashes his language skills, giving some of his interview in Italian. Luckily Twitter is on hand to translate for me. “My first victory here in 2005 was one of the most beautiful victories of my career,” he tells the crowd. “To have this trophy again with me after so many years is really very special.” Amazingle for a man who has been so dominant on clay, this is his first Italian Open title since 2013 (up until then he had won it seven times in nine attempts).

Zverev is gracious - and accurate - in his post-match comments: “You’re the greatest clay court player of all time and I think everybody saw that today,” he tells Nadal.

A mere 56th clay title for Rafa. But a very big day for Sascha. He was the better player for much of that match - and not because Rafa was playing particularly badly. It is very, very rare to see Rafa dominated on clay as he was by Zverev in the second set and for large stretches of the third. How would today’s match have played out in a year’s time, when Zverev is a year closer to his prime, and Nadal a year further away from his?

It always feels a little cliched to believe that the older, more experienced player will benefit from a rainbreak. Yes, he’s been there before but who’s to say the spectre of old defeats won’t rear up and haunt him? Not if it’s Rafa, apparently. Sascha’s level had dipped slightly before the rain came but he looked good enough to trundle along and hold serve to win the match. But Rafa took control when they came back on and took his chances at the net. And it was those points that appeared to make the difference: both players were about even from the baseline but Rafa won 10 points more at the net.

Third set: Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 5-3 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Does Zverev ever needs a hold here. Let’s see how we go. A good start: big ground strokes have him in charge of the first rally and Rafa eventually capitulates when he nets a forehand. Nadal’s shout volume crescendoes as the point goes on before a big overlooped forehand from Sascha lands wide. Rafa, though, is not playing perfectly and a unforced error from the Spaniard makes it 30-30. And a break point chance! Rafa toys with Zverev from the baseline before creeping in and finishing things off with a smash: 30-40. Ohhhh. And Sascha sets up Rafa beautifully with a drop shot and then a lob but the youngster’s shot drops just long. Break for Rafa.

Third set: *Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 4-3 Zverev (* denotes server)

If Rafa does go on to claim the title, we’ll look back at that rainbreak as crucial. Rafa, after all, has been through this type of thing 74,387 times. And he pulls off a beauty to make it 15-0 - an overhead smash as he retreats. The kind of shot he was not making before the break. Zverev lets off a few lazy shots and soon Rafa finds himself at 40-15. Early days but this does not appear to be the same contest we were watching before the break.

Third set: Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 3-3 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Although Zverev dominated the most recent sets, each player won 30 points from the baseline and Rafa actually won slightly more at the net (Sascha did, however, come into the net more as the match wore on - with quite a bit of success). Anyway, Rafa wins the first point after the restart and then forces Sascha into an error at the net to make it 15-30. Wobbles from the young man? Not too much: a big serve puts Rafa on the back foot and we’re soon at 40-30. But some big shots from Nadal eventually wear his opponent down and we’re at deuce. Then Sascha dumps an easy forehand into the net and Rafa has a break point - his first in what seems like a long time. A big first serve from Zverev would have been an ace but it’s called (just) wide and a few shots later Rafa has broken! We’re back on serve.

The covers are now completely off and we have blue(ish) skies above in Rome. Shouldn’t be too long now ...

Zverev is warming up with hit fitness coach, Jez Green, in the tunnel. So a return to play is (hopefully) imminent.

And the covers are coming off! It looks like we will have play again soon.

The covers are still on as we remain in a rain delay with the match tied at one-set all. Meanwhile, in other clay court news:

The ground crew get busy sweeping the excess water off the covers to scattered applause and cheers. Not sure Sascha was too happy about coming off with things going his way:

If Zverev does win this final, we will have had repeat winners in both the men’s and women’s tournament. Here’s what happened earlier today:

Nice to see the ground staff are respecting tradition:

Third set: *Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 2-3 Zverev (* denotes server)

Rafa’s comeback is not off to a promising start. He double-faults on the first point after the restart. But things get a whole lot better from then on and a smash makes it 40-15 and we have a hold. Zverev still has the crucial break in this set though.

The players are back on court. Sascha is asking if the court is dry and the tournament director reassures him we’re good to go. The rain wasn’t too heavy at any point, so we resume.

The TV pictures are doing the obligatory rainbreak thing of people putting up umbrellas in slow motion and raindrops splashing off leaves verrrryyy slowly. Will this break give Sascha time to think about the enormity of beating Rafa on clay and destroy his confidence? On the evidence of what we’ve seen so far, I would say no.

Third set: Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 1-3 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Those official-looking guys gave the raindrops the staring of their lives and the clouds appear to have cleared. Zverev opens the game with his second ace of the match and follows it up with a leaping smash at the net. He holds his hand up in apology, not sure why. And then a bit of fire from Rafa, he digs out a backhand from under hit feet on the baseline and turns it into a beautiful winner. Magnificent skill just to get that ball back, let alone win the point. Zverev still holds, mind.

Third set: *Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 1-2 Zverev (* denotes server)

We may have a rain break soon, as official-looking types peer hard at the rain courtside. Meanwhile, Rafa remembers that he is quite good at this tennis lark and holds to love. It’s obvious to say he needed that ... but he needed that.

Third set: Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 0-2 Zverev* (* denotes server)

The rain continues to fall but we’re staying on for now. The umpire is telling the crowd to quieten down (I think, my Italian isn’t great/existent). The game is pretty much Rafa scurrying about the court before Sascha unleashes a terrifying winner at the moment. Occasionally Sascha throws in a tired shot to make things interesting, which is nice of him. Rafa makes it to 40-30 before Zverev slams things shut.

Third set: *Nadal 6-1, 1-6, 0-1 Zverev (* denotes server)

Even if Zverev loses this match he is looking like a man who will dominate in the next few years. Imagine this contest when both men are two years older - it may not be too pretty for Rafa. A little slip from Rafa at 15-0 causes a loose shot to make it 15-15 - the indignities of extreme old age. Rafa lost the last set but he never looked particularly rattled. But when he gives up a shot to make it 30-40 he shows real frustartion for the first time. And ... wow. A tremendous, athletic reflex volley at the net saves the game. He allows himself a huge “Vamos!” And very well deserved it is too. The first raindrops fall as Sascha wastes another break point with a subpar backhand into the net. A net cord puts Nadal off his rhythm and it’s enough to set Sascha up for a winner to bring up his 10th break point of the match. And he breaks! Rafa misses an easy-ish volley at the net.

Second set: *Nadal 6-1, 1-5 Zverev (* denotes server)

When was the last time Rafa was 0-5 down on clay? Anyone out there know the last time he lost a set 6-0 on this surface. When he was four maybe? If only there was some kind of social media platform where people could supply information in real time. Hang on!

Anyway, Rafa is keen to avoid that little stat and a big serve takes him to 30-0. He then holds. Another record for Roger to hang on to.

Second set: Nadal 6-1, 0-5 Zverev* (* denotes server)

More drop shots from Sascha. Rafa gets to this one but he cuts it wide and Zverev has a 15-0 lead. Then Sascha plays another one which should have set him up with an easy volley winner but he sends it long. He’s missed a few easy points today. That takes us to 15-30 and Rafa’s best passage of play in quite a while. Until he dumps a return long the next point - Rafa has eight unforced errors this set to four last time around. Another hold for Zverev.

Second set: *Nadal 6-1, 0-4 Zverev (* denotes server)

Those storm clouds are rolling on the horizon but it’s dry on court at the moment. A few games ago it seemed a given that Rafa would finish this one off so quickly we wouldn’t need to worry about the weather. But now? Oh boy. Sascha has now won more points in this set than he did in the entirety of the first. His backhand is causing Rafa all kinds of problems but he wastes a chance at 15-40 to go a double break up, netting with Rafa in no-man’s land. He reacted very well after a wasted opportunity in the first game of the set how will he do this time around? Not as well - he sends a forehand very long although Rafa pounded him into the mistake. We get Rafa’s first roar of the match after that. We then have some deuce shennanigans that look to have come to an end with a great drop shot from Zverev to bring up break point. He’s played that tactic to perfection this afternoon. And it created the opening - he breaks again with a backhand, his second best shot of the day.

Second set: Nadal 6-1, 0-3 Zverev* (* denotes server)

That reaction when he Zverev missed an easy volley to break Rafa shows why he is so highly rated. Most people would have shown frustration at passing up an opportunity against the greatest clay courter of all time but Sascha picked himself on and broke Rafa the next point. He took that confidence into this game and held to love.

Second set: *Nadal 6-1, 0-2 Zverev (* denotes server)

Sascha asks the umpire to check the mark on the court after his shot is called out but it was clearly out. He has a little grumble too himself but for a man who has been run off the court he’s not exactly in Andy Murray-swearing-under-your-breath mode. I miss that swearing. That last service hold appears to have given Zverev some confidence and a terrible waft from Rafa brings up 15-40 and two break points. And ... wow. Sascha misses an excellent chance to break. He just needs to get the ball in with a volley at the net but sends it inches wide. Much to his credit, he tries again and after peppering Rafa with some big strokes he forces the Spaniard to send a forehand into the net and he’s broken! Well done, sir.

Second set: Nadal 6-1, 0-1 *Zverev (* denotes server)

Zverev won only 27% of his points on first serve in the previous set. What does he have to do better in the second serve? Just about everything. But if he’s going to pick one then maybe start with his serve. What this though? An honest, good great shot from Zverev. He unleashes a riproarer from midcourt that travels so fast, Rafa barely sees it. There’s another zinger too: a disguised drop shot from the baseline that Rafa can only stand and admire. Sascha goes on to hold - an very impressive comeback and just what was needed to make this contest semi-competitive. That, amazingly, is his first hold of the match.

First set: Nadal 5-1 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Zverev actually leads in a game! He rockets to a 40-0 lead after a couple of loose shots from Rafa, who is playing like a man with a comfortable lead and the sun on his back. Nadal then decides maybe he wants to win this game too and fires off a reflex volley at the net and then a crushing forehand and we’re at deuce. Rafa claims the game after reeling off six straight points, the final one is a little lucky coming off a net cord. Bu the Spaniard is in complete control of this match. Sorry drama/upset/Sascha fans.

First set: *Nadal 4-1 Zverev (* denotes server)

Sascha sends a nice forehand down the line to make it 30-15 and then Rafa dumps a serve into the net, which is the best spell of the match for him since the first game. After that things get a little crumbly again although Rafa is trying his best to help him out as his first serve malfunctions. Still Sascha’s second misplaces of the game - this time a long forehand with the court gaping open - gives Rafa the game. Zverev roars with frustration. This is all a little too easy for Rafa.

First set: Nadal 3-1 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Zverev prowls up to the net and a nice cushioned volley off a booming Nadal shot plops down inches from the net to take us to 15-0. A good response after two bad games from Sascha. There are a few ouches to come though: he doubles faults to gift Rafa two break points at 15-40. The serving glitches continue and Rafa seals the break with a big forehand at 30-40. Zverev started off the match so confidently but for some reason breaking the greatest clay courter of all time hasn’t done much for him and he has been tentative since.

First set: *Nadal 2-1 Zverev (* denotes server)

Zverev has been enjoying the odd drop shot or 83 so far today. This time there’s too much drop and not enough shot and he puffs the ball into the net. He can’t handle a Rafa serve at 40-0 and Nadal holds very comfortably. Being broken in the first game obviously woke the Spaniard up.

First set: Nadal 1-1 Zverev* (* denotes server)

Hands up who saw that coming in the first game then? As I can’t see anyone’s hands I’ll assume that’s no one. Having said that, Zverev can’t get on top of a looping forehand from Rafa - an achievement given that he’s 6ft 6in - and sends it long - that’s 0-30 to Nadal pretty quickly. A lovely drop shot later and Rafa breaks to love. We’re back on serve.

First set: *Nadal 0-1 Zverev (* denotes server)

And we’re off. Nadal gets things going with a big serve down the T but Zverev plays his way back into the rally and gets the first point of the match when Rafa sends a forehand wide. Zverev wins the second point too, making the old man scurry about with a series of drop shots, the last of which Rafa can’t get too. I know 31 isn’t old by the way. Unless you’re a cat or a mayfly. Zverev is making Rafa look a little creaky though and is soon 0-40 up! Against Rafa! On clay! A lovely approach at the net from Rafa brings it back to 30-40 but he can’t make it to deuce after he sends a forehand long and we have a break in the first game. Well, well, well ... well. Well.

Nadal and Zverev are out on court and warming up on a [Google “Rome weather”] fine afternoon in Rome. We shouldn’t be too long now.

Annabel Croft has told Sky Sports that Zverev’s chances against Rafa are ... not good:

“When you watch Rafa Nadal do what he does and stand so far back but put enormous height on it, he kind of floats that ball back to the baseline and kind of neutralises the point from there on in and it would be much more difficult for Zverev to really dictate and control from that first strike after the serve.”

So here we are. A mere ten years, $90m in prize money and 69 career titles separate our two protagonists, Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev. But before you mark this one down as an easy win for Rafa, bear in mind that Zverev now has three Masters titles to his name at the age of just 21 and is in all probability a future world No1, once Federer retires at the age of 48.

Rafa leads the head-to-head between these two 4-0 and won their only clay court meeting to date 6-1, 6-1 in Monte Carlo last year (he also won in straight sets when the two played each other in the Davis Cup last month).

The men’s doubles has just wrapped up so Nadal and Zverev should be on court fairly soon. In the meantime, Kevin Mitchell’s report on the women’s final from earlier is up and you can read it here:

Tom will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s how Rafa got on in the semi-final against Novak Djokovic yesterday:

As the sun set on the beautiful Foro Italico, the replica alabaster statues mute witnesses to a glorious past and an uncertain future, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic edged in front of their absent friends, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, a week before the French Open.

Federer, who was creaking a little on the hard courts of America after his astounding performance at the Australian Open, where he beat Marin Cilic to win his 20th slam title, decided to rest rather than suffer the rigours of clay in anticipation of another tilt at Wimbledon glory. But, as he approaches his 37th birthday, even his remarkable longevity must surely soon be stretched to the point of incredulity.

Whether Murray, who turned 31 this week, even makes it to the line at the All England Club is up for speculation again, with further locker-room talk this weekend that his recovery from hip surgery in January remains worryingly stalled. His chances of returning on the grass of Rosmalen in the Netherlands the day after the French Open final are rated “poor” to “marginal”, according to sources.

You can read the full report here: