Nadal returned at the beginning of the year and won the Australian Open to add his 21st Grand Slama record, although after the American tour he stopped again due to a problem with his ribs and reappeared on the courts at the Masters 1000 in Madrid last week, where he lost in the quarterfinals with his young 19-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, the new sensation of the ATP circuit.
Shapovalov will face Norwegian Casper Ruud (N.10) in the quarterfinals for a spot in the semifinals. Nadal’s elimination was the big news of the fourth day at the Foro Italico, which saw the victory of other favorites in the men’s draw.
Novak Djokovic, world number 1, had no mercy on the Swiss Stan Wawrinka, former number 3 who tries to return to the circuit after a year and a half of injuries, defeating him by a double 6-2.
In both sets, Djokovic broke the serve of the 37-year-old Swiss from the start to dominate the scoreboard, although in the second round he had more difficulties to score the partial since Wawrinka played better, forcing the Serbian to execute several high-class shots.
In this way, Djokovic can maintain his preparation for Roland Garroswhere he will defend the crown obtained last year.
On Friday will face Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (9th) in the quarterfinals, who defeated the American Marcos Giron, executioner on Wednesday of the Argentine Diego Schwartzman. In case of defeat, Djokovic will cede the world number 1 to Daniil Medvedev, despite the fact that the Russian is absent in Rome.