Nadal beaten 6-1, 6-3 in bruising encounter with world No 9Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka advance in women’s draw
Rafael Nadal was overpowered 6-1, 6-3 by Hubert Hurkacz at the Italian Open on Saturday in the Spaniard’s first meeting with a top-10 player for 18 months.
The 22-times grand slam winner brought his usual commitment and desire but was unable to compete physically against his opponent, ranked ninth in the world. Nadal, still regaining fitness after hip surgery, appeared slow at times and lacked the clinical edge to finish off points in this third-round encounter.
