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Rafael Nadal’s hopes of an 11th Italian Open title are over after defeat to world number nine Hubert Hurkacz. <\/b><\/p>\n
In what is likely to be the Spaniard’s final appearance in Rome, Nadal, 37, was comfortably beaten 6-1 6-3 by the big-serving Pole in just 93 minutes. <\/p>\n
Nadal, a 10-time winner in the Italian capital, has indicated that 2024 is likely to be his final season before retirement.<\/p>\n
The 14-time French Open champion says he is yet to decide whether to play at Roland Garros this year. The tournament starts on 26 May.<\/p>\n
“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today,” Nadal said.<\/p>\n
“But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I’m going to say ‘be in Roland Garros and try my best’.<\/p>\n
“Physically, I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.”<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie will face Stefanos Tsitsipas after beating Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3 1-6 6-3. <\/p>\n
The 28-year-old survived a scare when his form collapsed in the second set, winning just one game.<\/p>\n
But Norrie regained his composure in the third set, progressing to the next round despite being well below his best. <\/p>\n
British number two Jack Draper was unable to join Norrie in the next round following a 7-5 6-4 defeat by defending champion Daniil Medvedev, who will face qualifier Hamad Medjedovic in the last 32. <\/p>\n
Polish world number one Iga Swiatek booked her place in the women’s last 16 with a 6-3 6-4 win over Yulia Putintseva.<\/p>\n
Swiatek came from 4-1 down in the second set to extend her winning streak to eight matches, and plays Angelique Kerber next after her straight-set win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.<\/p>\n
Naomi Osaka has still not dropped a set in the tournament so far after beating Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-3. <\/p>\n
The Japanese former world number three plays Qinwen Zheng in the last 16. <\/p>\n
Coco Gauff survived a scare to book her place in the next round, where she will face Spain’s Paula Badosa. <\/p>\n
American Gauff, 20, beat Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-1 0-6 6-3 in just over two hours in Rome.<\/p>\n
The US Open champion failed to win a game in the second set, but she overcame world number 68 Cristian in the third and deciding set. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n