Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has won a record eighth Rome Masters title after he survived a stunning fightback from world number three Alexander Zverev in their final clash on Sunday evening.

Nadal saw off the German 6-1 1-6 6-3 to clinch the title as he recovered from losing 11 games to Zverev who led 3-1 in the third and final set.

He is now expected to regain the world number one ranking ahead of the French Open which starts next Sunday.

Roger Federer had earlier regained the top spot last week when Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Masters in what was his only defeat on clay this season.

The Italian Open triumph represents Nadal’s 78th ATP Tour title which takes him clear of John McEnroe into fourth place in the list of most men’s titles won in the Open era.