Rafael Nadal has won his eight Italian Open this afternoon with a epic victory over Alexandra Zverev. Nadal won the first set 6-1 before the defending champion Zverev won nine of the next 11 games to take the second set and lead 3-2 in the decider. However Nadal turned the match around after a lengthy rain delay and closed out the final out 6-1 1-6 6-3. The victory will see Nadal regain the World number one ranking before the French Open which starts next Sunday.