Rafael Nadal came from one set down to overcome Nick Kyrgios in a hard-fought victory in the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday.
The 'king of clay', who won the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open last month, sealed a 6-7(3) 6-2 6-4 triumph in two hours and 43 minutes in Rome.
Both players lost serve in their opening games in the first set, and neither could take advantage as just one break point - from Nadal - was produced before a tie-break was required to separate the two competitors.
Kyrgios had a slender 4-3 lead in the breaker and broke twice to take the first set, but he failed to carry his momentum into the second as Nadal claimed a 4-1 lead.
The Australian needed medical treatment midway through the second set, but he managed to get back on his feet before Nadal forced the match into a decider.
It was advantage Nadal when he broke his opponent on his third attempt, and Kyrgios struggled to respond as he squandered three break points.
Eventually, Nadal, who has won seven titles in Rome, did enough to claim victory and push himself into the quarter-finals.
Danielle Joynson
