Rafael Nadal’s hopes of winning his 11th Italian Open title ended after losing to world number nine Hubert Hurkacz.
In what will likely be the Spaniard’s final appearance in Rome, the 37-year-old Nadal was comfortably beaten 6-1 6-3 by the great Polish plunderer in just 93 minutes.
Nadal, a ten-time winner in the Italian capital, has indicated that 2024 is likely to be his last season before retiring.
The 14-time French Open champion says he has yet to decide whether he will play at Roland Garros this year. The tournament begins on May 26.
“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today,” Nadal said.
“But if I have to say what my feeling is and if my mind is closer one way or another, I will say ‘being at Roland Garros and giving my best.’
“Physically, I have some problems, but probably not enough yet to say that I will not play in the most important event of my tennis career.”
On the other hand, the British Cameron Norrie will face Stefanos Tsitsipas or Holger Rune after beating the Spanish Jaume Munar 6-3, 1-6 and 6-3.
The 28-year-old survived a scare when his form collapsed in the second set, winning just one game.
But Norrie regained her composure in the third set and advanced to the next round despite being well below her best.
British number two Jack Draper failed to join Norrie in the next round following a 7-5 6-4 loss to defending champion Daniil Medvedev, who will face qualifier Hamad Medjedovic in the last 16.
Polish world number one Iga Swiatek booked her place in the women’s round of 16 with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Yulia Putintseva.
Swiatek came back from 4-1 down in the second set to extend her winning streak to eight matches, and will face Angelique Kerber next after her straight-sets victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Naomi Osaka has yet to lose a set so far in the tournament after beating Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-3.
The Japanese former world number three will face the winner Linda Noskova and Qinwen Zheng in the round of 16.
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