Rare clay defeat sees Nadal lose his Rome title

RAFAEL Nadal's bid to win a fourth straight Rome Masters title stumbled at the first hurdle when the Spaniard lost 7-5, 6-1 to compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero yesterday.

It is only the second time in his last 104 games that world No2 Nadal has lost on clay. Ferrero now meets Andy Murray's conqueror, Stanislas Wawrinka, in the third round.

The unseeded Ferrero consistently put Nadal under pressure in the first set. A venomous serve helped Nadal save a set point in the 10th game, but Ferrero got his reward two later, clinching the crucial break with a fine cross-court backhand.

Nadal then hit a net volley wide with the court begging when 4-1 down in the second set to confirm the impression he was far from his best.

Ferrero broke again straight after the restart and then served out the match to record his second win over his compatriot in eight encounters and his first on clay.