<p>Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters for the eighth time on Sunday when he defeated defending champion Alexander Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 after a stunning comeback.</p>.<p>German second seed Zverev was 3-1 up in the decider before two rain stoppages halted his momentum.</p>.<p>When they returned after a second lengthy stoppage, top seed Nadal raced away with the last five games to secure a 32nd Masters title and ensure a return to the world number one spot.</p>.<p>“The rain break was so important, I didn’t think it would help me but it did. I was able to come back out with clear ideas, I’m very happy,” said Nadal.</p>.<p>“To win Rome eight times is amazing, it’s hard to describe. To have the chance to win here again is so great.</p>.<p>“As for Roland Garros, I’m going to enjoy this victory and think about Paris in a few days.</p>.<p>“For Alexander it’s amazing to have won that many matches in a row,” Nadal said after winning in just over two hours.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Svitolina wins </p>.<p>Earlier, Elina Svitolina underlined her status as a top favourite for the French Open by sweeping Simona Halep aside 6-0, 6-4 to successfully defend crown on Sunday.</p>.<p>In a repeat of last year’s final at the Foro Italico, Ukrainian Svitolina, seeded fourth, was up against Halep a day after the Romanian top seed had ousted Russian Maria Sharapova.</p>.<p>Svitolina, the world number four, has now successfully defended three career titles, in Baku, Dubai and also Rome; she also won in Brisbane and Dubai this season to take her 2018 title total to three.</p>.<p>“It’s amazing that I could do this here a second time and defend,” said Svitolina. “This is something very, very special.</p>.<p>“Congratulations to Simona, she had a great week of tennis.”</p>.<p>Thanks to reaching the final in Rome Halep will take the top seeding for Roland Garros.</p>
<p>Rafael Nadal won the Rome Masters for the eighth time on Sunday when he defeated defending champion Alexander Zverev 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 after a stunning comeback.</p>.<p>German second seed Zverev was 3-1 up in the decider before two rain stoppages halted his momentum.</p>.<p>When they returned after a second lengthy stoppage, top seed Nadal raced away with the last five games to secure a 32nd Masters title and ensure a return to the world number one spot.</p>.<p>“The rain break was so important, I didn’t think it would help me but it did. I was able to come back out with clear ideas, I’m very happy,” said Nadal.</p>.<p>“To win Rome eight times is amazing, it’s hard to describe. To have the chance to win here again is so great.</p>.<p>“As for Roland Garros, I’m going to enjoy this victory and think about Paris in a few days.</p>.<p>“For Alexander it’s amazing to have won that many matches in a row,” Nadal said after winning in just over two hours.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Svitolina wins </p>.<p>Earlier, Elina Svitolina underlined her status as a top favourite for the French Open by sweeping Simona Halep aside 6-0, 6-4 to successfully defend crown on Sunday.</p>.<p>In a repeat of last year’s final at the Foro Italico, Ukrainian Svitolina, seeded fourth, was up against Halep a day after the Romanian top seed had ousted Russian Maria Sharapova.</p>.<p>Svitolina, the world number four, has now successfully defended three career titles, in Baku, Dubai and also Rome; she also won in Brisbane and Dubai this season to take her 2018 title total to three.</p>.<p>“It’s amazing that I could do this here a second time and defend,” said Svitolina. “This is something very, very special.</p>.<p>“Congratulations to Simona, she had a great week of tennis.”</p>.<p>Thanks to reaching the final in Rome Halep will take the top seeding for Roland Garros.</p>