By ADAM ZAGORIA
Rafael Nadal is back to No. 1 in the world.
With his 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev, Nadal won his eighth career title in Rome and ensured he will return to No. 1 in the world on Monday.
Roger Federer, who is skipping the clay court season, became No. 1 last week after Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals in Madrid. Zverev then topped Thiem in the final.
Nadal overcame a 1-3 deficit in the final set for his first title in Rome since 2013. After a rain delay at 2-3, Nadal won four straight games to close the match. On match point on his serve, Nadal won on a backhand volley that Zverev could not retrieve.
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The moment @RafaelNadal won an eighth title in Rome…#ibi18 pic.twitter.com/7Eysx8kk3D
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 20, 2018
The loss snapped a 13-match winning streak for the 21-year-old Zverev, who has beaten Federer and Novak Djokovic but remains winless in five matches against Nadal.
After Rome, Nadal will seek his 11th Roland Garros title at the tournament beginning May 27.
If Nadal wins again in Paris he and Federer will have split the last six Grand Slam titles since 2017.
Oh. My. Word.
A brilliant no-look smash from @RafaelNadal ??#ibi18 pic.twitter.com/yIT6P7koHU
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 20, 2018
New @ATPWorldTour rankings with Nadal the new No. 1, Federer at 2 and Zverev at 3.
Novak Djokovic now No. 22 in the world. Wow. pic.twitter.com/cH6OEQQ1Bz
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 21, 2018
Photo: Jose Morgado
