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Rafael Nadal out, Novak Djokovic eases past Stan Wawrinka at Italian Open

Nadal out, Djokovic eases past Wawrinka at Italian Open
© Reuters
Rafael Nadal's run at the Italian Open comes to an end in the third round to Denis Shapovalov, while Novak Djokovic eases past Stan Wawrinka.

Rafael Nadal let a one-set lead slip against Denis Shapovalov to bow out of the Italian Open in the third round on Thursday.

The 21-time Grand Slam winner stormed into a 6-1 lead against the Canadian in the first set, but a foot injury appeared to be bedevilling him as Shapovalov came back all guns blazing.

Shapovalov ultimately advanced courtesy of a 1-6 7-5 6-2 success to hand Nadal his earliest exit in the Masters 1000 tournament for 14 years, and it remains to be seen how Nadal's foot problem will hold up ahead of the French Open.

Shapovalov has set up a quarter-final showdown with Casper Ruud after sinking Nadal, while Novak Djokovic ended Stan Wawrinka's fairytale in ruthless fashion 6-2 6-2.

Wawrinka had previously claimed two three-set wins over Reilly Opelka and Laslo Djere - his first on the ATP Tour for over a year - but he was broken early in both sets against Djokovic.

The world number one will do battle with Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last eight, where Jannik Sinner will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas and Cristian Garin does battle with Alexander Zverev.

Meanwhile, Canada are still represented in the women's tournament through Bianca Andreescu, who saw off Petra Martic in straight sets and has been rewarded with a showdown against world number one Iga Swiatek.

Madrid Open champion Ons Jabeur also booked her spot in the quarters with a 6-3 6-2 success over Yulia Putinseva, and Jil Teichmann came back from a set down against Elena Rybakina to progress 6-7 [3-7] 6-3 7-5.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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