Rafa Nadal through to last 16 in Rome after Nicolas Almagro injury
ByReuters
Updated 17/05/2017 at 14:28 GMT
Rafael Nadal eased into the last 16 of the Italian Open when his second-round opponent Nicolas Almagro retired after sustaining a knee injury early in the first set.
Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) talks with Nicolas Almagro of Spain forced to abandoned after an injury during their match at the ATP Tennis Open tournament on May 17, 2017 at the Foro Italico in Rome. / AFP PHOTO / TIZIANA FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIAN
Image credit: Getty Images
The Spaniard, who is the clear tournament favourite and looks to be in the form of his life on clay this season, raced into a 3-0 lead before Spanish compatriot Almagro felt his left knee with less than half an hour played.
Nadal is seeded fourth in Rome, where he is bidding for a record eighth title to go with his recent successes in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, and will meet either the Czech Republic's Jiri Vesely or American Jack Sock in the next round.
Japan's Kei Nishikori, the number seven seed, beat Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 earlier in the day and will play either Britain's Kyle Edmund or Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the last 16.
Third seed Stan Wawrinka was also in action later on Tuesday against unpredictable Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat him on clay in Madrid last week.
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