Know the day and Nadal’s rival in his debut in Rome | ATP Tour

Roma

Know the day and Nadal’s rival in his debut in Rome

It will be the Spaniard’s tenth game of the season

May 07, 2024

Rafael Nadal signs autographs for fans, on Monday at the Foro Italico.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff

Rafael Nadal found out on Tuesday night that he will play Belgian Zizou Bergs in the first round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

It will be the first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between the two. They will play on Thursday along with the rest of the bottom of the Rome men’s singles draw.

Nadal has posted a 6-3 record this season, most recently competing in Madrid, where the Spaniard won three matches to advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event. At the Caja Mágica, Nadal defeated Álex de Miñaur, the player No. 11 in the PIF ATP Rankings, in straight sets.

The 37-year-old has plenty of experience at the Foro Italico, where he has won a record 10 titles and earned a 69-8 record.

Bergs, world No. 108 and coming off qualifiers in Rome, has played two Masters 1000 main draw matches in his career, including one two weeks ago in Madrid. The Belgian comes into this duel with confidence after passing the qualifying phase and after his recent victory on the ATP Challenger Tour in Tallahassee, Florida.

The 24-year-old has also played in elite competitions this year. Bergs won a set against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, faced Andrey Rublev in Rotterdam and beat Marin Cilic in the Davis Cup.