Nadal survived two match points, played for three and a half hours to beat Shapovalov

What is happening with Rafa Nadal this season on clay - was the question after the first and half of the second set of the third round of the Masters in Rome, against the Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Rafa was losing 1:0 in the sets and 3:0 in the second set, it seemed that he was heading for another, unexpected defeat in the early stages of a major tournament.

In the end, however, after three and a half hours of play, he advanced, winning 2:1 - 3:6, 6:4, 7:6 (3).

In the first and half of the second set, Nadal was nervous on the court, imprecise, did not move well, and had the biggest problems with his backhand.

The 22-year-old Shapovalov skillfully used all that, opening the first set with two breaks for 4:0, Nadal reaching 4:3, only for the Canadian to save four break points in the ninth game, and use the third set point to take a 1:0 lead.

The second set started identically, with Shapovalov dominating - 3:0, while Rafa was powerless.

However, everything turned around in the fifth game, when the Canadian tennis player had 40:0 on his serve, and Nadal managed to return the break.

The Spaniard started to play much better and more confidently, took the rival's serve again and reached 1:1 (6:4).

The third set was spectacular, fierce, with many exchanges, uncertain points...

Again Shapovalov gained a 3:1 advantage, Nadal retaliated, and had three break points in the 11th game.

He didn't use them, but that's why he got away in the next game, when he saved two match points and reached the tie-break, in which he took an early lead 4:1, and that's already an advantage he couldn't let go...