Italian Open: Rafael Nadal outplays Fabio Fognini to enter semi-final

Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal deflated local hopes at the Italian Open on Friday, beating the last home player, Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Nadal needs to win the Rome title on Sunday to displace Roger Federer as world number one.

The 31-year-old Spaniard recovered from losing a lengthy first set before breezing through the quarter-final tie for the loss of just three more games.

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