Rafael Nadal through to last-16 of Italian Open after Nicolas Almagro injury

Rafael Nadal, who is the clear tournament favourite and looks to be in the form of his life on clay this season, raced into a 3-0 lead before Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro felt his left knee with less than half an hour played

Rafael Nadal eased into the last-16 of the Italian Open on Tuesday when his second-round opponent Nicolas Almagro retired after sustaining a knee injury early in the first set.

Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) talks to compatriot Nicolas Almagro after the latter was forced to pull out from the match after an injury during their match at the Italian Open. (AFP)

Nadal, who is the clear tournament favourite and looks to be in the form of his life on clay this season, raced into a 3-0 lead before Spanish compatriot Almagro felt his left knee with less than half an hour played.

Nadal is seeded fourth in Rome, where he is bidding for a record eighth title to go with his recent successes in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, and will meet either the Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely or American Jack Sock in the next round.

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Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the number seven seed, beat Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 earlier in the day and will play either Britain’s Kyle Edmund or Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the last 16.

Third seed Stan Wawrinka was also in action later on Tuesday against unpredictable Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat him on clay in Madrid last week.

Meanwhile, women’s top seed Angelique Kerber crashed out of the tournament after a 4-6, 0-6 defeat at the hands of Anett Kontaveit.