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Rafael Nadal back to winning ways in Rome

Rafael Nadal back to winning ways in Rome

Rafa Nadal got back to winning ways with a routine victory over John Isner at the Italian Open.

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The win see's the Spaniard through to the last-16 and erases last week's Madrid defeat from memory.

Nadal lost to teenager Carlos Alcaraz in Madrid last week but ensured that his record of never suffering back-to-back defeats on clay remains.

Despite the loss, he has been vocal of his admiration for his compatriot and urges fans not to put pressure on him.

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The 21-time grand slam champion, who has recently returned from a rib injury, will now face Denis Shapovalov.

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The duo competed in an epic three-hour and 27-minute clash at the same stage last year.

"I need to play better than today," Nadal said, as quoted by atptour.com

"But after a while without being on court it is another victory and I have the chance again to play against one of the best players in the world.

"I need to build things again after a tough stoppage and that’s what I am trying now.

"I just need to stay with the right attitude."

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