Nadal advances as Almagro quits with knee problem

TIL Desk Sports/ Rafael Nadal advanced to the Rome Masters third round when fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro was forced to quit with a left knee injury.  Three-time French Open quarter-finalist Almagro — he lost all three to Nadal — was unable to continue after just 24 minutes while trailing his compatriot 3-0 in the first set.

It was a 50th win for Nadal in Rome and he is on a hot streak after sweeping the titles on clay at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and last weekend in Madrid.

“I am happy with almost everything, I am playing well. I won a lot of matches this year,” said the fourth seed, who next faces Jack Sock as he builds up to Roland Garros where he will be chasing a 10th title.

“There is always things to improve, but it is not the right time to say I’m not happy with one thing or another. “Always there is the motivation to keep going and to keep improving something.” Nadal though was distressed to see Almagro injured who he also helped from the court.