• ATP Tour

Nadal breezes past flailing Fognini

ESPN staff
May 15, 2013
Rafael Nadal was a comfortable winner on Wedensday © AP
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Rafael Nadal raced into the third round of the Rome Masters after a demolition of Fabio Fognini on Wednesday.

On the day that Andy Murray pulled out of his match due to injury - potentially ruling him out of the French Open and, as a result, changing Nadal's potential route to the Paris final - the Spaniard put on another fine display of clay court tennis to progress, beating the defenceless Italian 6-1 6-3.

It did not take long for Nadal to grab control of the contest, the defending French Open champion breaking at the first opportunity and using that platform to romp into the lead.

The second set saw Fognini develop a bit more resistance - the contest going with serve until 2-2 - but Nadal soon found his edge again, much to his opponent's obvious frustration. At 5-2 in Nadal's favour it looked like he would break again to close out matters, but Fognini rallied back to at least force his opponent to serve for his supper - something he, not unsurprisingly, duly did.

Nadal was barely threatened but other seeds were not so lucky on Wednesday - with eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga suffering a surprise 6-4 7-6(5) defeat to Jerzy Janowicz. The 16th seed, Kei Nishikori, also lost out against the impressive Jeremy Chardy.

Elsewhere, there were wins for David Ferrer - in three sets over Fernando Verdasco - and Gilles Simon.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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