adminRafael Nadal will almost certainly not be one of the top four seeds for a Grand Slam for the first time since 2005 after a quarter-final defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the Italian Open.
Nadal lost 7-6 6-2 in Rome and Wawrinka will face fellow Swiss Roger Federer, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-3.
David Ferrer beat David Goffin 6-2 4-6 6-3 and will meet champion Novak Djokovic, who defeated Kei Nishikori.
Nadal could now face a tougher draw at the French Open, beginning on 24 May.
Seedings for the second Grand Slam of the year will be announced closer to the tournament, but Nadal is now likely to miss out on the luxury of avoiding any of the top four seeds until the quarter-finals.
He has struggled to get back to his best after a wrist injury and an appendectomy last season and French Open officials have reportedly stated they would not adjust his seeding based on his standing as the most successful ever player at the event.
The Spaniard has been champion at Roland Garros for nine of the last 10 years but has dropped to world number seven after clay court defeats to Djokovic and Great Britain’s Andy Murray in recent weeks. — AFP
Online Reporter