The Italian saved two match points in a stunning 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 win over Lleyton Hewitt at the Sydney International.
The 27-year-old international will need little motivating for Saturday's FA Cup final against first division underdogs Millwall.
A strong Poland side lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in a Euro 2016 warm-up friendly as Vincent Janssen and Georginio Wijnaldum scored to secure victory for a young Dutch team.
With Barca enjoying a nine-point cushion at the top of the Primera Liga and only eight games left, even a draw would leave Real facing their second trophyless season in a row.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
West Indies come into their ICC Champions trophy opener with Bangladesh on the back of some dreadful Test form.
The Proteas are yet to reach the summit clash of the World Cup, having been knocked out at the semifinal stage four times.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has urged his batsmen to do justice to their talent and show better application.
Relishing their underdog status, the Greeks hope to defend solidly and break open the Czech defence with quick counter-attacks.
Rahul says only love and compassion can build a nation.
Phil Mickelson dismissed Shubhankar Sharma as a member of the media at the WGC-Mexico Championship on Saturday, but the veteran American will not mistake the Indian when they play together in the final threesome on Sunday.
'He underplayed the whole scene perfectly,' the star of this year's Along Came Polly, which didn't do well in India, told People. 'Most people take him so seriously that they are intimidated by him. But he's got a great sense of humor about himself.'
The underdogs advanced through to the final on the away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline against Arsenal.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Keeping in mind Italians' weakness on grass, India have opted for grass courts in South Club here for the February 1-2 fixtures which will be played in new format with the winners making a cut to the 18-nation finals in Madrid next year.
'As a player, the biggest question you ask yourself is whether you are good enough to be on the same ground as Gavaskar, Dev, Border and company.'
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz reacted angrily after a 1-1 draw with Portugal on Monday doomed his team to elimination from the World Cup, saying they had deserved to win.
Jose Mourinho said on Monday he would step up Manchester United's pursuit of Gareth Bale if the Real Madrid winger was left out of the starting line-up in Tuesday's European Super Cup between the Red Devils and the Champions League holders.
Croatian Marin Cilic prepares to try to stop the Swiss claiming a sixth Australian Open title on Sunday.
The Indian Grandmaster lost to Viktor Bologan in the third round of the Dortmund tournament.
Juventus scraped a 2-2 draw with Swedish underdogs Djurgarden, while Liverpool strolled to a 2-0 win at Graz AK in the Champions League's third qualifying round.
Sukanya Verma curates an impressive list.
Selectors continue to fret over who bats after the second wicket falls, however, with a series of candidates having fluffed their auditions.
