By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, May 14, 2014

 

Defending champion Rafael Nadal overcame a stern fight from France's Gilles Simon in his opening round at this week's Italian Open.

Photo Credit: AP

Though finding himself in a tougher than expected battle, defending Italian Open champion and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal prevailed in a three set mini-marathon on Thursday.

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Up against France's Gilles Simon in the second round on Wednesday, Nadal would take control early in the first set. Claiming an early break, Nadal would eventually serve for the set 5-4.

Simon would stop Nadal in the next game by winning a stirring 30-plus shot rally to break back for 5-all. Nadal would go up another break and serve for the set again at 6-5. Simon would break back to force a tiebreak only to watch Nadal run away with it 7-6(1).

Simon fought off several break points against him early in the second set. Nadal would eventually convert on his fourth break point chance after forcing Simon to hit long. Opening up a 3-0 lead, Nadal looked well on his way to closing out the match in straight sets.

Yet the Frenchman would not succumb as he broke back and later threatened Nadal's serve again at 4-all. Nadal would climb back from 0-40 on his serve to eventually hold.

Simon fought off a match point against him while serving down 30-40 at 6-5. Soon, another tiebreak was necessary and this time it was Simon who prevailed 7-6(4).

Nadal secured a 2-0 lead to start the final set. Simon countered by breaking back for 2-all and looked ready to take the lead. But Nadal surged ahead with another break and didn't look back.

Taking control, Nadal closed out the set and match with a flurry of forehands including a final short, angled one Simon couldn't handle.

Nadal celebrated the 7-6(1), 6-7(4), 6-2 victory coming in at three hours and 18 minutes, making it the longest three set match played so far this year on the ATP Tour. The match also now ranks as the third longest three set contest for Nadal in his whole career.

Nadal will next face Russia's Mikhail Youzhny.

Earlier in the day, France's Jeremy Chardy saved a match point on his way to upsetting last year's finalist Roger Federer 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(6). Andy Murray defeated Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-2, 7-5.